Winesburg's Santa Parade moves to Saturday, Dec. 5

Parade to kick off at 5 p.m.,

just after dark

A Clyde Business & Professional Association Committee is finishing plans for the 2009 Winesburg Christmas Weekend on Dec. 4, 5, and 6.

The biggest change so far for this year's event is that the Santa Parade will be moved to 5 p.m. Saturday night, Dec. 5.

"The day of the parade was changed because the Toledo Symphony Orchestra was only available to perform in Clyde on Friday, Dec. 4," Winesburg Chairwoman Becky Brooks reported after last week's meeting. The Communities for the Arts informed our group of the change early this year and the Winesburg Christmas has reorganized so that the parade and other big events will be on Saturday and Sunday during the first weekend of December.

"There also will be a change as to where Santa will be seeing children after the parade this year, but those details are being worked out," she added.

Another major challenge for the Winesburg Committee is finding about 24 volunteers to block streets for the parade and tape downtown on Dec. 25. Due to city budget cuts this year and the city's reduction in overtime and police officers, all groups sponsoring parades in Clyde have had to find additional volunteers to work during the parade.

Santa Parade Chairman Ken Dick said he would like to find 24 additional people who can pull out crossbucks and block the intersections along Main Street from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 5. He noted the volunteers will be working with the Clyde Police and be given instructions by Police Chief Bruce Gower. Those interested in assisting on the parade route should call Dick at 419-547-6776.

As for the rest of the holiday celebration, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, however, will start their visit to Clyde on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 5 with the breakfast at Our Town's Brewin as they have for more than a decade.

They will be youth and children activities throughout the weekend including the horse and trolley rides downtown sponsored by the Clyde Heritage League, petting zoo at Doebel's Flowers, the best dressed pet contest and chili contest.

The Clyde Museum is decorating with teddy bears this holiday in recognition of hosting Theodore Roosevelt for a Story Time on Saturday and of course, the McPherson House will be adorned with many handmade, natural decorations reflective of the period of James B. McPherson.

Brooks reported that the Train Guys will be returning to the Clyde Moose with their HO model train display, the Christmas Lane holiday wreath display will be back in the city building and craft shows are set for Saturday.

A schedule of events is available at www.clydebpa.org and will be updated through Winesburg Weekend.