Bucyrus Christmas Parade was smaller than previous years, but still very nice

Oksana Kotkina, Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum
·2 min read

Bucyrus Christmas Parade and Candlelight Christmas 2023 seemed smaller than in the previous years, said its visitors, but still very nice. Many came from surrounding communities.

Kevin Creamer said he came from Tiffin, Ohio, to the Bucyrus Christmas parade to celebrate Christmas and Pearl Harbor Day after seeing the advertising on the internet. Creamer said he had been to the Tiffin Parade before that, and although the parade in Bucyrus did not seem to be bigger, it was very nice.

Candlelight Christmas welcomed local businesses and nonprofits, as well as local churches that came out to remind the public about their presence in the community and about the fact that on Christmas they celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, as Jerril Wyler from the Wayside Christian School from Bucyrus said.

Santa coming to Bucyrus during the Christmas Parade 2023.
Santa coming to Bucyrus during the Christmas Parade 2023.

Pastor David Smithey from the local Global Methodist Congregation Mount Zion Community Church said they decided to come out to remind the people that the church has been located in Bucyrus since 1897, despite a lot of the residents not being aware of their location.

Supporting friends and family

A lot of the visitors came to support their friends and family members participating in the festivities. Jane and Alyssa Korner said they came to the parade to see their granddaughter and sister respectively Elaina playing in Wynford band in the parade.

Greg Hartlien said he came to the parade because his granddaughter Sophia, 8, was in the court selected as one of the Bratwurst princesses this year at the festival. Hudson Edwards, 14, said he came from Galion to support his girlfriend Keira Dunfee, 12, who was also selected as one of the Bratwurst princesses.

“What I really liked about the parade, it had a lot of variety to it,” said Edwards.

Mansfield Youth Theater Choreographer Cassandra Kurek (left) said they came to Bucyrus Christmas celebrations to carol. They first did it last year, and it becamea tradition.
Mansfield Youth Theater Choreographer Cassandra Kurek (left) said they came to Bucyrus Christmas celebrations to carol. They first did it last year, and it becamea tradition.

Many came for their kids. Brooke Potts said she came with her children after having just moved to Bucyrus, and she liked the parade very much. Natasha Cox said she and her daughter Alisa Pugh come to the parade every year because they live just one street over.

“It looks a lot smaller than it has been in previous years,” said Cox.

Sydney Carr, Santa, Wiley Carr, 17 months, and Jacob Carr. The Carrs family came out to meet Santa with their 17-month-old son. The Santa House will now be open a few days a week until Christmas. Please check the hours at the Bucyrus Kiwanis Club Facebook page.
Sydney Carr, Santa, Wiley Carr, 17 months, and Jacob Carr. The Carrs family came out to meet Santa with their 17-month-old son. The Santa House will now be open a few days a week until Christmas. Please check the hours at the Bucyrus Kiwanis Club Facebook page.

Jenny Link said she brought her daughter, Samantha, 9, to the parade to enjoy the festivities, as they, being from around Bucyrus, do every year. Mercedes Baldinger and her mother Cathy Pifer said they brought Baldinger’s children, Zander, 6, and Zara, 2, to meet Santa Claus and ice skate.

“I don’t know if there’s as many businesses set out like they usually do, but it’s still very nice,” said Pifer.

Lauren Miller and her daughter Leah, 9, on skating rink sponsored by the FCBank. Adam Moore from SuperGames who helped distribute the skates at the event said they distributed around 300 to 350 pairs that evening, which was about the same as the previous year. The average skating time was 15 minutes, said Moore.
Lauren Miller and her daughter Leah, 9, on skating rink sponsored by the FCBank. Adam Moore from SuperGames who helped distribute the skates at the event said they distributed around 300 to 350 pairs that evening, which was about the same as the previous year. The average skating time was 15 minutes, said Moore.

Lauren Miller, who came to the event with her children, Leah, 9, Dawson, 8, and Sutton, 7, said she came to the Christmas event in Bucyrus for the first time because she was off work and wanted to create some family memories.

“I think it’s great,” said Miller. “I’m impressed.”

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Bucyrus Christmas Parade attracted guests from surrounding communities