APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – It’s almost time to grab your mittens and hot chocolate, as folks are gearing up for the 49th annual Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade tonight.
With an estimated 80,000 people expected to attend tonight’s parade and College Avenue shutting down, navigating Downtown Appleton can be a challenge. But that’s why we turned to Officer Meghan Cash for advice.
“Plan ahead. What route are you going to take to get down to the parade? Plan on where you’re going to park. If you can carpool with people or use a public transportation option, those are all great ideas of getting down there,” Cash says.
Some attendees may cite concerns over the size of the crowd and finding a spot to sit, especially if they work until a bit later than others.
“If you don’t have the best spot, you’re still going to see most of the parade. We know there’s only so much room between State and Drew Streets down College Avenue. But get there early enough, get that spot, and enjoy the night,”
Heavy crowds aren’t the only frustration people might face. Cash says to keep an eye on the weather.
“It sounds like we could have a toss-up of all different kinds of weather. It’s always cold and sometimes rainy, sometimes snowy. Dress appropriately, have your kids dress appropriately so that everybody can really enjoy what the Christmas parade is really all about.”
The floats, bands, and other participants in the parade are clearly the main attraction along College Avenue tonight, but Cash says businesses along the strip will be providing a bit of hospitality as well.
“A lot of our local businesses downtown are having specials and things tonight, making sure they have enough coffee and hot cocoa ready for people. So take some time to take a look at some of those businesses. It’s a cool way for us to showcase the downtown in a way to have a safe night out with your kids right before the holidays,” Cash tells WTAQ News.
The parade begins on State Street and College Avenue at 7:00 p.m. tonight. The route runs to Drew Street.
