Winterfest

Sapulpa’s Winterfest Christmas Parade creates holiday memories.

Imagine a crisp December evening with warm coats and blankets, the taste of hot chocolate from a cup nestled in gloved hands and the much anticipated, distant sounds of an approaching parade.

This is Christmas time in Sapulpa. You are invited to celebrate the season at their Winterfest Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2 at 6 p.m. Come and enjoy this year’s theme, “A Christmas to Remember”.

The Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce plans the annual event. According to Betty Calley, the Chamber’s executive director, the parade has been a tradition for a long, long time.

“We have great participation from the community and many local organizations. During my association for the last six years, we’ve filled participant spots and created a waiting list,” says Calley.

Most parade entries are floats and marching bands. There is a $5 entry fee and organizers accept the first 85 who enter.

Spirit Bank has sponsored the event for three years. This year they will award a cash prize of $500 for the best overall entry and a $250 cash prize for entries judged first place in each division.

Calley confirms the three entry divisions as Non-profit/Church, Youth and Business. Three judges, stationed across from the Chamber office, will judge participants on best use of theme, lighting and attention to detail.

The best overall entry and the top three in each division are awarded. This year’s award is an exclusively designed, commemorative Frankoma plate.

Entrants creatively design their float, enhancing the holiday mood with a festive supply of lights. Other parade entries have included live camels, Clydesdales, trolley cars, Reasor’s “big shopping cart”, local media personalities and Santa Claus, of course, who traditionally ends the procession riding on a fire truck.

The Sapulpa High School Vo-Ag student’s float is an animated highlight. They are joined by other area students featured in numerous marching bands.

Be ready to receive candy from parade participants who will hand-distribute it to assure everyone’s safety. Food and drinks, provided exclusively by non-profit organizations, will be available at street side locations.

An estimated 10,000 people will gather along the 16 block parade route. Beginning at the intersection of Main & Taft, it proceeds north onto Dewey, then eastward, concluding at Sapulpa High School.

Bell ringers scattered throughout the route traditionally signal that the parade is soon to begin. The Sertoma Biker Club “Toy-Run” starts the procession at 5:55 p.m. from the Westlake Ace Hardware parking lot.

The “Toy-Run” is open to all motorcyclists. They cruise along the parade route collecting toy donations for delivery to Sapulpa’s DHS location.

The Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce, along with all parade participants, invite you to put on your seasonal attire and enjoy a wonderful, winter evening of holiday festivities in downtown Sapulpa. It is “A Christmas to Remember”.

For more information, contact

Sapulpa Chamber of Commerce

www.sapulpachamber.com