By Kimberly Gasuras
Santa is coming to town Friday and much like the Christmas parades in Bucyrus several years ago, he will be riding atop a fire truck instead of a sleigh.
Parade organizer, Carolynann Smith, said this year’s parade has 232 entries, at last count.
“We had 300 units last year and I am sure we have at least that many this year,” Smith said.
Smith said she is placing two to four princesses on one vehicle this year, so the parade will not be quite as long.
“This year, the parade will go from the north end of town to the south instead of the other way around as in years past,” Smith said. “This will give us more room to line everyone up.”
Smith said line-up for the parade will begin at 4:45 p.m. in the area of Circle K on North Sandusky Avenue with the parade kicking off at 6 p.m. Friday.
“The parade is always held on the Friday before Thanksgiving each year. Many years ago, it was held on Saturday evening but a certain football team’s game schedule seemed to get in the way,” said Smith with a laugh and a reference to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Smith said the parade entries include local high school bands, the Americettes Twirlers, floats, Santa, plenty of candy and much more.
“I have 2,000 pieces of candy sitting on my love seat right now to bag up,” Smith said.
Smith said candy and monetary donations for the parade are provided to the groups that oversee the parade, the Bucyrus Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.
“The Eliminator’s Car Club provides the vehicles we use for our snow princesses,” Smith said.
Smith said the parade would not be possible without the help of donors and volunteers.
“We are so grateful to everyone that helps out and makes this parade a success,” said Smith, who will be 74 in December.
Smith took over as the parade organizer 12 years ago when it was still sponsored by the now defunct, Bucyrus Area Business Association (BABA).
“There were 39 units in the parade and my first year, we had 78 entries,” Smith said.
Smith said she plans to organize the parade until she turns 80.
For the first time, Santa’s House is located at the new Schine’s Art Park on South Sandusky Avenue.
“Santa will be at his house after the parade, so children can visit with him and I am being told a Christmas movie will be shown at the park while people are waiting in line,” Smith said.