By: Krystal Smalley
Ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
Santa Claus will be returning to Bucyrus next Friday for the annual “Here Comes Santa Claus” parade.
CarolynAnn Smith once again brought in the entries for the ever-popular Bucyrus Santa Parade. Though the numbers haven’t quite reached the record-breaking levels of last year’s parade, Smith said she had 200 entries as of Wednesday. She will continue to accept entries up to the day of the parade.
“I was so thrilled with it last year,” Smith enthused. “I am so pleased that people enjoy it.”
After having the cold rain stop last year just in time for the parade, Smith is keeping her fingers crossed for lucky weather again this year.
“We’re hoping that the weather man will send us nice weather,” she said.
She is especially excited for this year’s parade. Her mother, who will turn 95 years old in January, will be in attendance, as well as other family members.
“It just came to kind of be a family tradition for the holidays,” Smith said.
Smith is no stranger to the Bucyrus Santa Parade. She has been organizing it for a number of years and was honored last year when the late Mayor Roger Moore proclaimed Dec. 17, 2013 as CarolynAnn Smith Day.
“I plan on doing this 10 more years. Then I’ll be 81 and I’ll think about slowing down,” Smith said.
Entries will be accepted for the Bucyrus Santa Parade up to the day of the parade. Anyone wishing to enter the parade can contact Smith at 419-562-6159.
The parade will take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21. Entries will begin lining up at 5 p.m. on South Sandusky Ave. near Bucyrus City Hall. Volunteers will be on hand to assist in the lineup procession. The parade route will travel north on Sandusky Avenue and will end at the Home City Ice parking lot.
This year’s parade is co-sponsored by the Bucyrus Rotary and Kiwanis clubs.
Santa Claus will be also be at Picking Park after the parade.