Downtown Whitewater, Inc., an organizer of the Whitewater Parade of Lights, has announced that it is seeking entries for this year’s parade.

According to the release, the parade will be held Friday, Dec. 1.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Santa’s Enchanted Forest,” the release noted.

Those interested in participating in the parade are asked to complete an entry form, which can be accessed through the following link:  https://shorturl.at/oCPT2. 

An entry deadline of Sunday, Nov. 26, has been set, according to the release.

Additionally, the release noted, in the event of inclement weather, such as rain, sleet or heavy snow, a decision to cancel the parade will be made 24 hours in advance of the event.

Organizers remind entrants that the event does take place in cold weather and those participating in the parade should prepare to be in the cold for “an hour or more.”

Further, organizers stated: “this year’s parade route is shorter (than routes marched in previous years) to focus more fully on the downtown area as well as make the parade more accessible to participants.”

This year, parade participants will line up on Fourth Street, making use of an alley behind the Lutheran Church. They will proceed along Main Street, to Whitewater Street. The parade will end in the Cravath Lakefront Park parking lot on Whitewater Street.

Participants will be asked to lineup for the parade beginning at 5:30 p.m.,  with the parade beginning its downtown march at 6 p.m.

Organizers noted within the release that Generac will serve as the title sponsor of the parade.

Organizers additionally noted that the parade will take place “after sundown” and therefore encourage participants to include lights on their entries as part of their holiday displays.

Those attending the parade will find a “variety of activities,” with festivities in the downtown area beginning at 4 p.m.

Following the parade, a tree-lighting ceremony will be held on Main Street near the mill pond clock.

The Whitewater Parks and Recreation Department will be holding a new activity titled: Holiday Tree Creations,” the release stated.

The program provides an opportunity for groups or individuals to purchase their choice of a “pallet tree,” at a cost of $25 each, which they can then decorate. Participants are asked to bring their decorated tree to the Parks and Recreation Department at the Whitewater Municipal Building, 312 W. Whitewater St., Whitewater, by Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Participants will be invited to retrieve their tree to have as a keepsake after Jan. 31, the release read.

To purchase a tree and learn more about decorating parameters, contact parks and recreation staff member Michelle Dujardin by phone: 262-473-0121.

The release further noted the return of the Shop Small Holiday Market, which will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., at the Cravath Lakefront Park.

The event will feature holiday gifts made by local artisans and supplied by local vendors, along with holiday snacks, treats and drinks. Live music also will be performed.

Santa will be on hand to meet and take photographs with his fans, and a letter-writing activity will be provided.

Visitors to the holiday market also will find a holiday-themed scavenger hunt, carriage rides through the downtown area, and a warming fire, the release read.

About Downtown Whitewater, Inc.

According to the release, Downtown Whitewater, Inc. is a volunteer-driven organization spearheading community efforts to reenergize and enhance the city’s historical downtown.

A full photo album of last year’s Whitewater Holiday Parade, as published on WhitewaterWise’s sister site, Fort Atkinson Online, is here:https://fortatkinsononline.com/whitewater-holiday-lights-on-parade/.