The communities of Whitewater and Fort Atkinson will each be hosting a holiday parade this upcoming weekend.

Whitewater’s parade and tree-lighting ceremony

In Whitewater, information released by the Whitewater Area Chamber of Commerce notes that the holiday parade will be held Friday, Dec. 1, beginning at 6 p.m.

According to its organizers, this year’s parade will begin its march on Fourth Street, with parade participants lining up at 5:30 p.m. in a nearby alley. The parade will proceed along Main Street, to Whitewater Street, and end in the Cravath Lakefront Park parking lot.

Additional activities associated with the parade are slated to begin at 4 p.m. in the city’s downtown area, and a tree-lighting ceremony will be held on Main Street near the mill pond clock following the parade.

To date, the following organizations will march in this year’s parade: the Whitewater High School Band, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater chancellor along with Whitewater High School elves, Whitewater Girl Scout Troop 7639, the Ferradermis FIRST Robotics Competition Team, the Republican Party of Walworth County, the Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department, Tincher Realty, Walworth-Jefferson County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail, Lima 4-H, Premier Bank, Productive Living Systems, Fort Community Credit Union, the Royal Purple News,  The Boat House of Whitewater, the Banner City bikers, and the Whitewater Fire and EMS department.

Participants also will be treated to an appearance made by “Mr. and Mrs. Claus.”

Fort’s parade and chili cook-off

Information released by the Fort Atkinson Area Chamber of Commerce notes that the parade will be held this year on Sunday, Dec. 3, between 4:30 and 6 p.m.

Parade staging will be held in the Fort Atkinson Middle School Parking lot, 329 High St., Fort Atkinson.

The parade will follow a traditional route, beginning on Milwaukee Avenue, through downtown Main Street, with all motorized or animal-drawn floats continuing to Madison Avenue and onto Robert Street, with a return to the parade’s starting point. All walking entries return to the starting point using the city’s bike trail.

Parade sponsors this year include Enbridge and Homes for Independent Living, A MyPath Company, the chamber’s website states.

Information released by the chamber on Monday notes that the following entries will be participating in this year’s event: A Better Physique, American Legion Post 166, Bait Box on the Rock, Boy Scout Troop 134, Cub Scout Pack 137, Capputan, Creamery 201, Crown of Life Christian Academy, Eby Family Dental, FCCU, Festival Foods, Stumbled in Percherons, Fort Atkinson FFA Alumni, Fort Atkinson Girl Scouts, Fort Atkinson Wrestling, Fort Nutrition, GFL Environmental, Hebron Knights ATV Club, Heritage Country Meats, Hometown Pharmacy, Humane Society of Jefferson County, Jefferson 1/2 Mile ATV Club, Jefferson County Republicans, K&F Auto, Kennel Club of Fort Atkinson, Koshkonong Kruzers ATV Club, Koshkonong Mounds Country Club, Oak Tree Child and Family Services, Ozinga, Paul Frank Florine American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166, PK Contractors, PremierBank, Reena Senior Living, Rock River Clovers 4-H, Salty Buffalo Trading Co, School District Superintendent, School District of Fort Atkinson’s Equestrian Team, School District of Fort Atkinson’s High School Marching Band, Sleek Coating, SNT Tree Service, St. Paul’s Daycare, St. Paul’s Church, Wishing Star Barn, TRICOR Insurance, W&A Distribution Services, Fort Atkinson Lions Club, and the Fort Atkinson Fire Department.

The parade also will include an appearance made by “Mr. and Mrs. Claus.”

In addition, the release reminds community members that a Chili Cook-off event will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 320 S. Main St., Fort Atkinson, in advance of the parade, beginning at noon.

According to the release, the cook-off event will provide samples of chili, while supplies last, along with opportunities to play bingo and meet Santa. Treats will also be made available.