Santa Claus waves to the crowd from his perch on Riverside Fire Authority's old Engine No. 4 in downtown Chehalis on Saturday.
The 66th Annual Santa Parade will be rolling through Chehalis this Saturday at 11 a.m.
“This is one of the hometown traditions everybody gets really excited about,” said Alicia Bull, executive director of the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s theme is “The Nutcracker” and about 60 entrants are expected to participate.
She also said the theme was chosen to coincide with with 20th anniversary of the Southwest Washington Dance Ensemble’s performance of the classic ballet.
This year’s grand marshal is Joe Mount, the owner of Bartell Drugs in Chehalis. Mount is a longtime figure in the community who has owned several small business and been an active community volunteer over the years.
Centralia’s Fred Meyer distribution center is sponsoring a food drive during the parade as well. According to Bull, volunteers will be walking along the route collecting food donations.
“During the parade we’ll also be collecting food at the stage area, and Fred Meyer has offered to match up to $1,000 in canned food donations,” Bull said.
Some organizations will also be on hand with booths for information and handing out winter treats.
After the parade people dressed in Nutcracker costumes will be outside the Dance Center’s Market Street location and available for photo opportunities and selling tickets to the performance.
The parade route brings entries north on Market Boulevard from Northwest North Street up through the downtown core. The parade will then meander south on Pacific Avenue and finish along Chehalis Avenue to the south.
