By Kim McDarison
Main Street Saturday was lined with enthusiastic mirth-makers as holiday-themed floats and displays paraded through Fort Atkinson.
With temperatures in the 30s, attendees braved the cold, which was complemented by snow flurries as members of the city’s police and public works departments set up road blocks along the parade route and directed traffic. Parade-goers, many of whom had placed blankets and lawn chairs along the route in advance of the parade, found their seating dusted with fresh snow.
The holiday lighted parade featured displays of all shapes and sizes, from bundled children, with their cheeks aglow, pulled in wagons by parents to jubilantly decorated fire trucks and a cement mixer.
Found within the lineup were mascots, dogs, horses, and even the cast from Fort Atkinson High School’s production of “Elf, the Musical.”
The parade was complete with an appearance made by “Santa and Mrs. Claus.”
This year marks the 26th anniversary of the holiday parade, which featured more than 40 entries, according to information provided by the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce, which is annually the parade’s organizing sponsor. The parade lasted nearly an hour.
A full list of parade entries as provided by the chamber includes: American Legion Post, Rock River Dental, Blackhawk Marching Band, K Taekwondo, Fort Atkinson Fire Department, Fort Atkinson Lions Club, Jefferson County Humane Society, Fort Drift-skippers Snowmobile Club, Ziggy’s Landscaping, Atkinson Maintenance, Festival Foods, Cub Scouts Troops 137 and 184, Ozinga, Girl Scouts, Fort Atkinson FFA, Rock River Clovers 4-H Club, Oak Tree Child and Family Services, Democratic Party of Jefferson County, Piper Mae, PK Contractors, Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, Fort Atkinson Wrestling Club, Salty Buffalo Trading Co., Fort Atkinson High School’s cast and crew for the “Elf, the Musical,” Fort Atkinson Community Credit Union, Gemuetlichkeit Days, The Wishing Star Barn, Custom Powder Coating, Hometown Pharmacy, Blodgett Pet and Garden Center, Bait Box on the Rock, Fort Atkinson Preschool, Shopko Eye Care, Wisconsin Grout Buster, Pete’s Tire Service, Paddy’s Paws, Rock River Optical, St. Paul School, St. Paul Church, St. Paul Donations, Eby Family Dental, the School District of Fort Atkinson, Double Three Transportation, GFL Environmental, Jones Dairy Farm and Market, Crown of Life Christian Academy, and W&A Distribution.
An album featuring over 70 photographs taken during the event can be viewed by clicking the image below.
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