Abbotsford Christmas Parade celebration comes to town Dec. 2

By Neal Hogden

The 52nd Abbotsford Christmas Parade will bring the holiday spirit to town on December 2. The parade will begin at the TP Printing parking lot at 7:30 p.m. and will run for approximately an hour.

Spectators will line up to see “The Best Christmas Parade Around” as over 300 characters and 40 floats will be bringing movies, Christmas themes and pop culture references to life.

The popular 2021 movie Encanto will come to life as a new float accompanied by characters Mirabel, Bruno and others. The float has a myriad of colors, lights and styles that bring out the essence of the movie.

Parade organizer Kris O’Leary said a lot of hard work went into the float which included hundreds of hours of cutting, painting and lighting. She said the float was worked on by herself, her husband and kids, however she said the community also contributed to the newest float.

Abby School District staff contributed a half day, RCU employees contributed a full day and AbbyBank employees contributed a half day to place lighting and decorate the float over the past year.

Additionally, the parade committee volunteers also helped with the Encanto float and helped to repair other floats.

New Frosty the Snowman costumes and an upgraded float will be making their debuts as Carol O’Leary worked on refurbishing the classic Christmas story.

The parade will once again feature a raffle at the parade which includes a grand prize of a Yeti Cooler filled with $1,000 worth of meat donated by Nicolet Nation-

See PARADE/ Page 2

AN ENCHANTED EVENING - The Alice in Wonderland float and characters make their way down First Street during the 2022 parade.

STAFF PHOTO/BRIAN WILSON Parade

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al Bank. Other prizes include:

n $1,000 cash donated by Loos Machine and Automation, Inc, Tristar Printing Co. and TP Printing Co, Inc.

n Pellet grill donated by Smith Bros. Meats and Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home

n A $500 Mastercard gift card donated by AbbyBank

n New Holland corn hole game donated by Cherokee Garage

n $150 Visa gift card donated by Forward Bank

n $200 yard stone gift certificate donated by Baumgartner’s Lumber and Materials

n $200 Visa gift card donated by Royal Credit Union

n $200 Shell gas card donated by K99-WKEB Radio

n $100 gift card donated by Taylor

Credit Union

n $100 in chamber bucks donated by First City Dentistry

n $100 in Abby Colby Crossings chamber bucks donated by Century 21 Dairyland

n $100 pizza party donated by Pizza Hut The parade route will once again run east on Spruce St. to Second St., turn north on Second St., then turn west on Birch St. to 1st St., and head south, back to Spruce St. Bathrooms and warming areas will be available during the parade at City Hall on 1st. St. and 3:16 Church on the corner of 2nd St. and Birch St..

The city of Abbotsford will have other events going on throughout the day at Abbotsford City Hall including:

n Shoppes on Candy Cane Lane vendor

and craft show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

n Photos with Santa from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

n Abbotsford Lion’s Club soup sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until the soup is gone.

Kris O’Leary said the event wouldn’t be possible without the help of all the sponsors and volunteers.

“This is a community event. The parade is the best Christmas parade around and that’s all because of the people that help put it on,” O’Leary said. “From prize donations to the time and effort that goes into putting the parade on, Abbotsford and the surrounding areas give a ton to put on a great show.”

If interested in volunteering to push or drive a float, dress up as a character or help set up or clean up, contact Kris O’Leary at 715-223-2342 during the day or 715-3600901 during the evening.