Chippewa Falls's 22nd Annual Bridge to Wonderland Parade (2011)

For the first time ever, Eau Claire will be hosting a parade to usher in the Holiday season.  The theme for the inaugural Clearwater Winter Parade is “A Flurry of Activities.”  The event will take place on Dec. 15, with the parade starting at 5pm.  This all came about due to an idea from the local organization Leadership Eau Claire. All proceeds raised by the parade will benefit department’s youth and the family scholarship program.  The convoy will begin on Water Street by the University parking lot, lead to Seventh Street, and finish at Hobbs Ice Center.  

The evening will conclude with games and activities at the Hobbs Ice Center from 6 to 9pm.  There will be splendid things like free ice skating with a figure skating competition, free smores and hot cocoa, curling, slap shot, fire pits, possibly snow sculpture, games, and food vendors.

Anyone and everyone is invited to participate in the parade.  The Parks and Rec website has applications to apply to be a part of the event.

One thing that makes this parade special is its focus on wellness. The Clearwater Winter Parade is meant to promote physical activity, and there will be booths in the lobby with information about wellness.  

If one parade just isn’t enough, check out the winter parades in Chippewa Falls and Menomonie.  In Chippewa Falls, the 23rd annual Bridge to Wonderland Parade will be on Dec. 1 from 6 to 7pm.  More than fifty musical and illuminated floats will march down Bridge Street in downtown Chippewa Falls, with Santa bringing up the rear of the group.  The theme this year is Christmas at the Circus, with the Grand Marshall being the ring master.  You can even sip free hot cocoa as you watch the spectacle.

And don’t forget about the 7 annual WinterDaze Holiday Parade in Menomonie on Dec. 13.  It’s quite a bonanza, starting with live reindeer, free hot cocoa, caroling, and time to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, from 4:30 to 6pm in the UW-Stout Clock Tower Plaza. Afterwards, the parade begins at 6:30 pm and goes for about an hour, depending on the number of floats, on Main Street, from Fourth Street to Broadway.  After the parade, there will be fireworks (yep, you read right) shot off over Lake Menomin, one block off Main Street.

So get out there and enjoy some local winter processionals!