APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – Downtown Appleton’s Christmas parade is on Tuesday, and officials are reminding attendees about some rules in the run up to the annual event.
Police say the Santa Scamper fun run is scheduled for 6:40 p.m., with the parade starting at 6:55 p.m.
Because of construction in Jones Park, the Santa Scamper route has been modified: It will start at the intersection of State Street and College Avenue, follow College Avenue east to Drew Street, and turn north on Drew Street and end at City Park.
The parade itself begins on State Street and turns onto College Avenue, ending at Drew Street.
The Appleton Police Department is also reminding spectators of the city’s policy: Viewing spots may not be reserved before noon Tuesday. Beginning at noon, spots may be claimed, but someone must stay at that spot until the parade starts. Anything left before noon will be removed and donated to a local charity for resale, and there will be no opportunity to recover it.
Starting at 5 a.m. Tuesday, there will be restricted parking along:
- College Avenue (between S. Memorial Drive/N. Richmond Street and Lawe Street)
- Oneida Street (south of College Avenue)
- State Street, Walnut Street, Superior Street, Appleton Street, Morrison Street, Durkee Street and Drew Street (south and north of College Avenue)
- Division Street (north of W. College Avenue)
All vehicles must be removed from College Avenue by 4 p.m. Vehicles that remain will be ticketed and towed. At 4:30 p.m., State Street, along with side streets between Fourth Street and College Avenue will be closed for staging and setup. Vehicles in those areas will be ticketed and towed. At 5 p.m., W. Lawrence Street between S. Memorial Drive and S. Superior Street will become a one-way eastbound street.
At 5:30 p.m., these streets will close to traffic:
- College Avenue (between S. Memorial Drive/N. Richmond Street and Lawe Street)
- Oneida Street (south of College Avenue)
- State Street, Walnut Street, Superior Street, Appleton Street, Morrison Street, Durkee Street and Drew Street (south and north of College Avenue)
- Division Street (north of W. College Avenue)
After the parade, the area around City Park will be used for tear-down and pickup of floats and parade entries. Police remind drivers to watch out for increased traffic along:
- E. Franklin Street
- N. Drew Street
- N. Union Street
- E. North Street
- E. Eldorado Street
- N. Bateman Street
Drivers passing through downtown will be diverted onto W. Prospect Avenue and S. Memorial Drive. Police ask drivers to avoid the downtown area if possible from 5-10 p.m.
Finally, police remind parade-goers of these guidelines:
- No alcoholic beverage carry-ins allowed at the events
- No glass containers
- No animals are allowed at special events
- Pedestrians must obey all traffic laws at intersections around the event
- Individuals planning on consuming alcoholic beverages should plan a safe ride home
