On the evening of the first Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Wauseon community kicks off the annual Christmas holiday celebration. Festivities begin with the of lighting the Star at historic South Park. The beautifully lighted Christmas Parade immediately follows. Every year the Downtown Wauseon Association hosts the event, seeking a wide variety of entries for the parade. The planning for the celebration begins in January and continues throughout the year until the holiday season again returns.

 

The popularity of the Christmas Parade has grown over the years. Wauseon residents and holiday guests enjoy the lighted bands, floats, horses, and entries of civic organizations and fire departments from the Northwest Ohio area.  Many spectators reserve favorite spots by setting out chairs and blankets well in advance of the parade. Parking on Fulton Street is restricted along the parade route beginning at 6:30 pm.

 

Beneath the festive street decorations, the parade progresses from South Park, up South Fulton Street, across the railroad tracks, towards Oak Street.  The route then turns to the west on Oak Street. Finally the parade turns south again at Clinton Street, passing the Memorial Auditorium (Senior Center) and the Municipal Building. The parade again crosses Elm Street, turns west on Depot street and ends at North Brunell Street.

 

One of the greatest attractions each year is the official arrival of Santa Claus. His float takes him to the historic Wauseon Depot where, at the finish of the parade, he greets the children of Wauseon and the surrounding area.