By: Lei Rumley | Category: Special Interest | Issue: November 2007
Parade committee members (left to right) include Betty Calley, Kayla Parnell and Suzanne Shirey.
The Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce is getting ready to light up the community; committee members are busy organizing the annual Winterfest Christmas Parade. The chamber is expecting over 85 entries for the event. Many have already started drawing up plans to brighten spectators’ holidays. A Sapulpa tradition for many years, the parade will take place Saturday, December 1. Sapulpans look forward to this yearly event, and over 5,000 people are expected to attend.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with the route beginning at the intersection of Taft and Main Streets. It will proceed to Dewey Street and go east to Mission Street. The total length of the parade will be 16 blocks. “There is a real process to getting organized for this event,” says Sapulpa Chamber Executive Director, Betty Calley.
For many parade participants, prizes and awards add to the excitement of Winterfest. First, second and third place award winners are named in three different categories: youth, nonprofit, and business. In Winterfest tradition, winners’ “trophies” are actually Christmas plates made exclusively by Frankoma Pottery.
The parade would not be complete without an official parade marshal. “Our marshal is always the previous Sapulpa Citizen of the Year,” Calley says. American Heritage Bank’s Bill Berry is the 2007 honoree.
Members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church display their float at Winterfest 2006.
A crowd and community favorite, Bikers Against Child Abuse will be participating in the parade again this year. The nonprofit group of motorcycle enthusiasts gathers toys prior to the parade. During the parade, over 100 bikers ride with the collections. Once the local Department of Human Services office is reached, the final destination, the gifts are donated to children in crises.
Marching bands from around the area will make the evening merry. While dance studios and cheer teams will provide holiday entertainment, the Boy Scouts, Camp Fire USA, and numerous churches will offer good tidings. To make the holiday season and the parade even brighter, parade participants will distribute candy to spectators young and old.
Churches and nonprofit organizations will be selling numerous concession items at Winterfest. Food and drink stands will be setup in large parking lots throughout the parade route. A few delicious menu items include such treats as hot chocolate and Frito pies.
Of course, no Christmas parade would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus. Santa will make his appearance in Sapulpa on a fire truck. He will be bringing joy to all as he helps wind down the bright, fun show.
Winterfest is guaranteed to be fun for the entire community. With something for everyone in the family, the parade will definitely put spectators in the true holiday spirit. “This is a gift that the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce can give to the community,” Calley says. For event information, contact the Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce at (918) 224-0170.
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