The 127th Annual Santa Claus Parade kicks off at 10:30a.m. Friday from the corner of Monroe and Green Streets in downtown Peoria. It’s the longest continuously running holiday parade in the US.
The parade has 78 entries and longtime WMBD TV News Anchor Bob Larson is leading it off. Larson has been on the air at WMBD TV for 43 years and he’s announced the parade for 41 years. Larson is riding at the front of the parade allowing him the ability to finish the parade route and also announce it for the last time before he retires Friday.
Santa also makes his big annual Peoria debut at the end of the line-up.
Susie Stockman chairs Peoria’s Santa Claus Parade. She says the parade is Santa’s first stop Friday. But he is also part of the Yule Like Peoria Holiday Walk-A-Bout Festivities. Stockman says the event, “starts at 6:00p.m. at the Peoria County Courthouse, Santa will be there to turn on the lights. Then the businesses open they have entertainment and refreshments.”
Yule Like Peoria Walk-A-Bout runs through 9:00 p.m. with the trolley available for the farthest reaching venues.
Click herefor the Santa Clause Parade details.
Click herefor Yule Like Peoria Walk-A-Bout details.