Maple Hill Holiday Parade to kick off the holiday season in Kalamazoo
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Holiday parades return to West Michigan after being cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Maple Hill Holiday Parade kicks off the holiday season Saturday in downtown Kalamazoo. The parade will start at 11 a.m. on Lovell Street and Jasper Street.
Live coverage of the 2021 Maple Hill Holiday Parade provided by Public Media Network:
If you are having trouble viewing the live stream it can also be viewed on Public Media Network's website.
News Channel 3 is a proud sponsor of the parade presented by Maple Hill Auto Group.
This is the 59th anniversary of the parade.
- Parade forecast: Holiday parades chilly but dry ahead of Sunday rain, snow to start Thanksgiving week
There will be balloons, floats, marching bands and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there too.
"We’re really excited to have so much local business participation, community volunteers, people who have donated for gift baskets and prizes," said Abby Vandenberg, an organizer of the parade.
Organizers are expecting about 30,000 people to fill the streets of downtown Kalamazoo.
Parade goers can vote for their favorite floats by scanning a QR code as they walk by.
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will sponsor after parade activities happening on the Kalamazoo Mall immediately after the parade.
There will be an Elf on the Shelf game, restaurant specials and shopping deals.
"It really is a community effort to bring this parade together and everyone stepped up in such a beautiful way," said Vandenberg.
- Winter fun: Kalamazoo Holiday Parade, Santa's Workshop and Holly Jolly Trolley to return to downtown
Proceeds from the event will go to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes to help fight food insecurity in Kalamazoo.
"I think it’s a bigger impact than just the dollars that come into loaves and fishes," said Associate Director Greta Faworski. "It’s the heart of the community. When you do an event like this and it helps people feel togetherness and joy which a lot of us haven’t felt for the past two years."
Participants can give monetary or food donations during the parade.
For more information on the parade route and activities visit the Maple Hill Holiday Parade website.
Battle Creek's Christmas Parade will also make its return on Saturday.
It’s put on by the Harper Creek Optimist Club.
The parade will kick off Saturday around 5:40 p.m. at Champion Street and North Washington Avenue.
This year’s theme is “Come Celebrate Our Christmas: A Tribute to Essential Workers".
The parade committee will also honor parade coordinator Jim Demarest who died last year.
Demarest organized the parade for over 25 years.
His daughter stepped up to coordinate the parade this year.
Connect with Emirrora Austin on Facebook and Twitter. Send story ideas to eaustin@sbgtv.com.
