The Waukesha community marked the holiday season with its 61st annual Christmas Parade, a tradition imbued with communal spirit and resilience. Aligning with this year's theme, "Home for the Holidays," festivity filled the air as families reveled in a celebration that carried profound significance for the town, according to WISN.
It has been three years since the shadow of tragedy fell upon Waukesha when a man drove an SUV through the parade route, leaving six dead and injuring more than 60 individuals. To pay tribute to those lost, a "lantern walk" led the parade this Sunday—a solemn remembrance before the festivities commenced, as reported by WISN. This year also witnessed the return of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, an emblem of perseverance, whose members were among those tragically lost in 2021. "It was our honor and joy to share the moments of the 2024 Waukesha Christmas parade with all of you. Merry Christmas, with love from the Grannies," the group expressed on Facebook, according to a statement obtained by WISN.
Among the local businesses participating, Oscar's Frozen Custard displayed their community bond with a special float. Co-owner Susie Taylor shared with TMJ4, "A lot of these employees haven't seen each other since the fire. Many are hurting, so what a great opportunity it is to bring everyone home." Taylor revealed that the outpouring of community support following a recent fire at Oscar's was transformative, catalyzing a sense of festive spirit amid the prior somber mood.
Thousands of spectators lined the streets to witness the parade that featured festive floats and local marching bands, with security measures including modular vehicle barriers introduced post-tragedy to prevent similar incidents, as noted by CBS 58. In the wake of Oscar's Frozen Custard's devastation, patron Danielle Chmielewski reflected on her connection to the locale, "I've gone to Oscar's since I was eight. When I woke up and saw that happened, I was devastated. But like everyone says, we are Waukesha strong, all of the community out here," Chmielewski told TMJ4. For many, the parade was not simply a holiday festivity, but a poignant reminder of the enduring unity and strength of the Waukesha community.
