Santa's Coming

Last Saturday we wandered to downtown Milwaukee for the 86th Annual Holiday Parade - brought to us by Johnson Controls (can't forget to mention the sponsor). We found reasonably-priced nearby parking. The sun shone. But best of all - grandson, Kellen, was there to see the parade with us. What a joy to see a holiday tradition through the eyes of a 2 1/2 year old.

The parade spectators.

Many of the units in the parade were bands from Milwaukee and area high schools. It's always a good parade when there's lots of music.

Many of the bands had red and black uniforms...

and here's another.

But not all the schools had red uniforms.

Just like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, the Milwaukee Parade had gigantic balloons.

Harbinger of the season to come.

Will we get enough snow this winter
to build this big a snowman?

Here's Rudolph.

Radio personalities and dignitaries in the parade braved the chilly air and rode in convertibles.

While most of the convertibles were late models, a few classics showed up.

Klement's Racing Sausages strutted their stuff.
This one is the chorizo.

Firetrucks and street sweepers made an appearance. The street sweepers followed the horses for obvious reasons.

As well as the camels who carried the Wise Men.

This was "Tow-Mater" (from the movie Cars) according to Kellen.

The Shriners paraded in VWs rather than on the mini-motorcycles.

Kids in a parade are always a winner!

The Santa in this parade even sang.

Merry Christmas to all!

Ater the parade we checked out the Christmas mouse in Pere Marquette Park. The light display in the park is better viewed at night.

If there's a parade in your town before Christmas, go see it. A fun way to start the holiday season!