December 8, 2022 |
More details on the Christmas parade in Saratoga Saturday night when Santa and Mrs. Claus will be escorted through town with great holiday fanfare.
The Valley Service Organization sponsors the Christmas parade each year. Bigfoot 99 spoke with Judy Hamel, the VSO’s Christmas Magic Lighted Parade and Winter Wonderland organizer. She said, after taking over from the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce three years ago, her organization has worked to make the parade bigger and better.
As the organizer, Hamel has worked to expand the parade each year. She said, for the first time, there will be a parade marshal. Local resident, and VSO member, Tina Francis, will lead the parade.
Along with the marshal, Hamel said she has nearly 20 entrants in the parade. She expects more by the end of the week. She added that number doesn’t take into account every vehicle participating.
Pictured above: Photo courtesy Saratoga VFD.
In the past, the Saratoga Fire Department has carried Santa and Mrs. Claus along the parade route to the Winter Wonderland outside of the Platte Valley Community Center. Hamel said she called fire chief, Pat Waliser, to make sure his fire company would be willing to continue the tradition. She said Waliser wanted to have Saratoga’s newest truck in the parade, but it wouldn’t be available in time. He suggested inviting Hanna’s fire department to participate.
Hamel said Chief Waliser offered to invite fire departments from other towns to bring trucks to the parade. The VSO parade organizer said that would make the event even better.
The parade will begin at 5 p.m. on South River Street, leaving from the Platte Valley Clinic parking lot. The decorative floats will wind past the Saratoga Care Center for residents to see and enjoy.
The original plan was to have the parade continue from the assisted living center north along River Street and onto Bridge Avenue, but ongoing roadwork from the Spring Avenue Waterline Replacement and Paving Project may force Hamel to alter the route. The parade organizer said she may not know the exact path until the day of the parade.
No matter what path the parade takes, it will end at the PVCC. In the parking lot, Hamel and other VSO volunteers will have the Winter Wonderland set up. Hamel said there will be decorations, food, and a very special guest.
Hamel said she loves how the parade brings the community together. She recounted a story from last year’s event that left an impression on her.
The Valley Service Organization’s Christmas Magic Lighted Parade begins at 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 10th. When the guests of honor, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, reach the Platte Valley Community Center, the Winter Wonderland officially begins.
