GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — It’s almost time for two Grand Rapids traditions: The Gentex Santa Parade and the city’s tree lighting will be held Saturday.
The parade used to be a morning event, but has moved to later in the day this year to line up with the city’s annual tree lighting.
“Santa sat us down and said, ‘Hey, let’s bring these two together,'” Evette Pittman, special events manager for the city of Grand Rapids, said.
She said it took a lot of logistical planning, but the city was happy to “make one, big, welcoming event for the community.”
“Once you’re down here as a family, you can stay down here and take advantage of both events at the same time,” parade CEO Russ Hines told News 8. “Plus, moving the parade to an evening time, everything will be lit up and downtown Grand Rapids is so pretty at night. I think this is going to be fantastic.”
The parade also has a new route. It steps off at 5 p.m. at the corner of Michigan Street NW and Division Avenue N. It will head down Division to Crescent Street NW, Ionia Avenue NW, Pearl Street NW, Ottawa Avenue NW and Louis Street NW, bringing Santa to Rosa Parks Circle.
“As Santa passes you by, head to Rosa Parks Circle, take advantage of all the activities at the tree lighting ceremony. You’ll be there when Santa gets off his sleigh and makes his way to the Christmas tree lighting,” Hines said.
The tree lighting ceremony is expected at about 6:45 p.m.
Hines said the parade already has more than 50 volunteers lined up, many from the Fans of Valley Field and the Grand Rapids Jaycees (which formerly ran the parade). Still, organizers could use as many as 30 more helpers. You can sign up at GRsantaparade.com.
The parade and tree lighting will air on WOOD TV8 and stream on woodtv.com. The program runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by News 8 Daybreak anchors Teresa Weakley and George Smith, with Storm Team 8 meteorologist Blake Harms and Maranda.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story listed the wrong day for the parade. It is Saturday. News 8 regrets the error.
