Artist working to add final sculpture to Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) – The artist behind part of the Waukesha Christmas Parade Memorial in Grede Park is working to add the final installation to the project.
The memorial is dedicated to the six people and dozens of others that were injured after a man drove an SUV through the 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade. A ceremony dedicating the memorial took place in November 2024.
Carmen De La Paz, who grew up in Waukesha, is a TV personality and artist. Last year, she worked for months to gather 1,200 tiles designed by community members that are now placed at the memorial.
“Through the tile project I was able to meet most of the people that lost family members,” De La Paz said. “That has been a huge inspiration for me to do this right, to do it well.”
Her next part of the project, called "Holding Love," will feature a set of hands and a heart.
De La Paz is currently sculpting the piece out of Styrofoam. Eventually, a special concrete will be used to make sure it can withstand Waukesha’s weather.
De La Paz, whose name translates to "of the peace," wants people to find healing with her artwork.
“I want people to be able to sit in silence or walk around with the people they love and feel an element of peace in that whole space,” De La Paz said. “You want people to feel peace, love, and calmness even though it comes from pain.”
On Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, at 4:39 p.m., an event will honor the four-year anniversary of the parade tragedy at the Parade Memorial at Grede Park.
The ceremony will include the dedication of De La Paz’s sculpture. Speakers will include Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly, United for Waukesha Resiliency Center, and De La Paz.
You can read more about what’s expected here.