Saugatuck Holiday Parade by Mallory Hass
Saugatuck’s annual Christmas parade took place on Saturday, December 2nd. The parade began at around eleven in the morning and traveled through the streets of downtown Saugatuck, specifically along the town’s famous Butler Street. It usually lasts around 20 minutes. The parade is a favorite of the locals and there is always a decent turnout. The Saugatuck High School band marched in the parade, playing their typical “Christmas Parade March.” Spectators had to bundle up a bit, as temperatures were in the thirties. The locally famous man-only shovel brigade and woman-only peppermint brigades are always fan favorites. The shovel brigade, specifically, can be seen marching along and dancing with their shovels, stopping every once in a while to perform a spinning dance and drag their tools on the concrete. Santa also always makes an appearance, which is very exciting for the younger viewers of the local Christmas parade.
A lot of candy was thrown and firetrucks, as well as police cars, took part in the parade. Many Christmas trees were put up in Wick’s Park for the holiday season recently, making the small-town feel of downtown Saugatuck a little bit more festive.
Parades in Saugatuck always bring lots of new visitors from around the area. Relatives of band members, as well as workers from participating businesses, come to check out the local festivities. Local businesses such as Retro Boat Rentals, the Cow Hill Yacht Club, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Saugatuck Dance Asylum, and even several local churches, marched in the parade on Saturday. These businesses bring along floats, performers, and tubs of candy to throw. The occasional silly string spraying will also take place on the day of the parade, though this is more common in the summer parades of Saugatuck. Make sure that you come out to support local businesses and the high school band Saugatuck’s Christmas parade next year!
A lot of candy was thrown and firetrucks, as well as police cars, took part in the parade. Many Christmas trees were put up in Wick’s Park for the holiday season recently, making the small-town feel of downtown Saugatuck a little bit more festive.
Parades in Saugatuck always bring lots of new visitors from around the area. Relatives of band members, as well as workers from participating businesses, come to check out the local festivities. Local businesses such as Retro Boat Rentals, the Cow Hill Yacht Club, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Saugatuck Dance Asylum, and even several local churches, marched in the parade on Saturday. These businesses bring along floats, performers, and tubs of candy to throw. The occasional silly string spraying will also take place on the day of the parade, though this is more common in the summer parades of Saugatuck. Make sure that you come out to support local businesses and the high school band Saugatuck’s Christmas parade next year!