“Golden Anniversary” Parade kicks off holiday season
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November 23, 2009 • Krystal Pence
Filed under Local, News
The 14th annual Fort Atkinson Holiday Parade was held on November 14th.
This parade was “The Golden Anniversary” Parade, for being the 14th parade held on November 14th. This year, there were roughly 50 entries in the parade, which is the most that have ever entered.
There were several clubs and organizations from all over the community in the parade such as The Fort Atkinson High School Band, American Legion/Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard, Fort Atkinson Fire Department, Fort Atkinson Girl Scouts,
The Escape Teen Center, Fort Atkinson Relay For Life. Also Wisconsin Center Missing Children & Adults, Anytime Fitness, Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, State Representative Andy Jorgensen, and Pick ‘N’ Save participated.
Finally, the Holiday Parade Chairperson Elene Wagner participated in the parade. Following the same trend as the years prior, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus made an appearance in the parade riding in a carriage owned by Merle Fischer of Jefferson.
One of the most astonishing moments for many people, however, was a fully functional hot air balloon burner unit.
According to The Jefferson County Daily Union, the parade was started fourteen years ago when the Fort Atkinson Chamber of Commerce decided they wanted to start an event to promote local retailers in the area and to add a little holiday character to the town. The first event was regarded as a ‘smashing success’.
After the parade, a chili cook-off was held at the Municipal Building and sponsored by the local chapter of the United Way.
It was encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the parade to help St. Paul’s Lutheran School with a food drive for the Fort Atkinson Food Pantry. In addition to this, there was an FFA Alumni’s Feed Bag being offered Saturday evening, with 20% of the proceeds going to United Way.
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