Memorial float will honor Waukesha Christmas parade victims, survivors in this year's parade

 

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- In just a few days, the city of Waukesha will be holding its annual Christmas parade, and a new float will represent the six lives lost during last year's attack.

"We want to remember the victims, survivors, the families, the first responders. There are so many people that were affected last year in multiple ways, not only physical, and we wanted to make sure they have a place in the parade this year," Waukesha parade organizer Janelle Andrews said.

The Waukesha Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the memorial float this year, which will be one of the first in Sunday's parade route.

"As a chamber, we talked about the best way to remember the victims, survivors from last year's attack, but also have it be a joyful experience," Andrews said. "The main aspect of that memorial float will be six snowflakes to represent the six lives that were lost in the 2021 parade, and there will be signs on the side of it saying, 'Peace on Earth,' which is the theme for this year's parade."

The parade, which starts at 4 p.m. on Sunday, has 80 groups participating in the route.

"The parade this year is going to be a large turnout. We have the most participants and performers ever, we have the most number of volunteers, the most number of business sponsors. There are people that have contacted us that are coming from different states just to attend the parade this year," Andrews said.

"We’re trying to focus on peace and focus on joy. We have so many people that are just excited to be able to attend again this year or attend for the first time. We want to make it as best of an experience as possible for them."

This year, the parade will have a new route, determined by Waukesha police and the city to make it more closed off to surrounding roads, with increased police presence and drones watching the parade from the sky to make sure everything is going smoothly.

Per tradition, Santa and Mrs. Claus will close out the parade. They will be preceded by the United States Postal Service, which will be collecting letters to Santa at the parade.

For more information on this year's Waukesha Christmas parade, you can visit the city's website.