Santa Parade Set for 11 a.m. Saturday in Downtown Chehalis

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The 72nd annual Santa Parade is on Saturday in Downtown Chehalis. The parade’s theme will be “The Night Before Christmas.” 

Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Director Cynthia Mudge said the chamber selected The Night Before Christmas theme because it seemed like a good fit and hadn’t been selected before.

“We have a huge file of Christmas themes … (Night Before Christmas) stuck with us and it hadn’t been done yet. It’s a good Christmas story. It seemed like a good fit,” Mudge told The Chronicle.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. and is presented by Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union and the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce.

Riverside Fire Authority Chief Michael Kytta is set to serve as grand marshal of the Santa Parade. According to Mudge, Kytta, who is retiring next year, was selected by the chamber’s board after his name came up during a meeting. 

“They felt it would be a good way to honor his service,” Mudge said.

“I found out (the) week before Thanksgiving,” Kytta said of his selection as grand marshall. “I was surprised and honored.”



Kytta said he was excited to be a part of what he sees as a community tradition. 

“I’m excited about sharing the experience with the entire community …. It’s really exciting to be part of that (tradition),” Kytta said.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Mudge asked people attending the parade to be prepared for December weather.

Mudge added there will be a lot happening downtown besides the parade, including the Chamber’s Elf on the Shelf event from 2 to 4 p.m. at various downtown businesses. 

The Community Tree Lighting will take place at 4 p.m. at the Lewis County Historical Museum. 

Learn more about Chehalis holiday happenings from Experience Chehalis at https://experiencechehalis.com/holiday-events-in-chehalis/.