APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The ‘Largest Nighttime Christmas Parade in the Midwest’, the Appleton Christmas Parade, won’t have it’s 60th year this year, another consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. One aspect of it, however, is going to stick around. Santa Claus.
“We changed plans and had Santa decide to go in the neighborhoods and see everyone that way,” said Otis.
Now Santa is wishing kids Season’s Greetings, from his float with Mrs. Claus. To keep everyone a safe distance away.
“They are very excited, so they’re in their Christmas jammies in the back so we’ll open up the back and they’ve got blankets,” said Amber Heiting.
With the Christmas Parade canceled, Santa will be making stops across the city on his own every Tuesday until Christmas, offering a gentle reminder to kids young and old, to stay on the nice list.
Heiting says it gives her kids something to look forward to throughout the month.
“It means a lot because it helps keep some sense of normalcy going on,” said Heiting, “and everything that can get anyone excited and out of the house is a bonus.”
But, even if some of the excitement might be tempered.
Nothing puts people in the Christmas spirit more than seeing people come together, socially distanced of course.
“The collaboration was really just incredible and it was really heartwarming to see all these people come together to create a tradition, or keep a tradition alive which is great considering the circumstances this year,” said Heiting.
To make sure you don’t miss Santa on his route, there is a Santa tracking website.
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