In its 27th year, the annual Holiday Lighted Parade held in Jefferson took place Saturday. Some 40 colorful and imaginative entrants worked their way through the city’s downtown area to the delight of spectators who lined the designated parade route. The parade was complete with the appearance of “Santa and Mrs. Claus,” who arrived in a firetruck, and made themselves available to meet children after the parade at a venue dubbed “Santa’s house.”
Photos from the event, taken by FAO photographer Kim McDarison, follow.
An elf walking alongside a parade entry from the Jefferson Community Foundation waves to the crowd.
2023 Fairest of the Fair Jefferson County Danielle Chwala smiles at fans as she travels along the parade route.
A float entered into the parade by Fort Community Credit Union moves along Main Street.
Dressed in holiday attire, a stack of bills, a mascot presented by PremierBank moves along Main Street.
Sporting the theme, “Slide into your new home,” a Century 21 float makes its way down Main Street.
The Century 21 float was complete with a snow making machine and a giant polar bear.
Children watch parade-goers from their seat within a Peters Bros. semi as they participate in the parade.
Riders on a float labeled “Jefferson Wisconsin, We’re Going Outside,” great parade-goers as they move through the intersection of Main and Racine streets in downtown Jefferson.
A driver waves from a truck as he pulls a float along the parade route.
Members of the Jefferson High School Band perform as they travel by truck along Main Street.
One of several children ride on a float entered by St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jefferson.
An array of characters make their way along Main Street.
Members of the Jefferson High School Drama Club wave to the crowd from their float.
A group of festive parade travelers make their way down Main Street.
An array of festive riders travel along Main Street aboard the Eby Family Dental float.
A member of the Jefferson County Republican Party marches in advance of the organization’s float.
A tooth mascot supplied by Eby Family Dental, Fort Atkinson, and a helper greet parade-goers as they make their way along Main Street.
The 2023 Gemuetlichkeit King and Queen Glenn and Amber Fleming ride the Gemuetlichkeit Days float in the parade.
A creative float sponsored by Griffin Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram travels along Main Street.
Goats exchange friendly glances with a volunteer as they ride a float entered into the parade by the Friends of Goat Island.
Spreading holiday music and cheer, a float sporting a sign saying: “The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All to Hear,” moves along Main Street.
A group, identifying itself as “Art Club,” expresses enthusiasm as it moves through the intersection of Main and Racine streets.
Sponsored by K&F Auto Sales, a colorful float offers inflatable decorations.
The full K&F Auto Sales float additionally carried riders, while other company representatives walked alongside.
Several riders aboard the K&F Auto Sales float wave to the crowd.
A young volunteer travels in the back of the Community Action Coalition For South Central Wisconsin van as it makes its way along Main Street.
Jefferson Memory Care marchers enter the intersection of Main and Racine streets under a light drizzle.
A driver and his companion wave as they steer the Walmart float.
A marcher accompanies the Walmart float.
Festive “shoppers” accompany the Walmart float.
A couple and their canine are among Walmart marchers.
A father and child also are among those accompanying the Walmart float.
Members of the Jefferson Emergency Medical Service drive an ambulance in the parade.
A group of festive marchers gather in the intersection of Main and Racine streets.
“Santa and Mrs. Claus” hover above the crowd from their vantage point on a Jefferson Fire Department truck.
City of Jefferson Officer Kayla Tanner drives the final car in the parade.
A vendor sells lighted wands and other merchandise in advance of the parade.
Children enjoy their lighted toys while they wait for the parade to begin.
Wisconsin State Troopers from the Southeast Region Waukesha Post Demitrius Tann, at left, and Redouan Oubouha aid local law enforcement by providing parade security.
Cory Schoenherr shoulders his daughter, Elizabeth, 2, both of Jefferson, as they wait in a line to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Clauses arrived at “Santa’s house,” after the parade to visit with their fans.
Lilyella Wells, 3, Jefferson, shines with glee as she visits with Santa. She was the first child in line to see Santa and Mrs. Claus in Santa’s house following the parade.
Castiel Wells, 6, Jefferson, expresses his joy as he is greeted by the Jolly ole couple. He and his sister, Lilyella, along with an older brother, Orion, 11, and the children’s mother, Holly, both not pictured, spoke with Santa and Mrs. Claus about what they would like for Christmas.