Night time Holly Days parade gets 'rave reviews'

Jay Redfern, Galesburg Register-Mail
·2 min read

GALESBURG — An estimated at 3,000 people attended Sunday's Santa Rescue and Holly Days Parade along Main Street in downtown Galesburg, the city's first night time holiday parade.

The events started with relatively mild temperatures in the mid 40s, and ended under a light rain shower.

Greg Saul of Galesburg shoots flames from the basket of his hot air balloon as he rides in a float during the Galesburg Downtown Community Partnership Holly Days Parade on Sunday. For more photos and video, visit galesburg.com.
Greg Saul of Galesburg shoots flames from the basket of his hot air balloon as he rides in a float during the Galesburg Downtown Community Partnership Holly Days Parade on Sunday. For more photos and video, visit galesburg.com.

"Despite the change in tradition and the weather threat, our community really came out for the cause," said Tessa Jones, communications manager with the Galesburg Tourism & Visitors Bureau, and Galesburg Holly Days Parade coordinator through her association with the Downtown Community Partnership of Galesburg.

"It was a great turnout for the first year! We had a variety of creativity, art, music, and performance groups that had our participant list at 600-plus individuals," Jones said. "Everyone from the Galesburg Police Department, Galesburg Fire Department, each organizations; participants, and volunteers cooperated and worked together for a rather seamless event."

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave from the top of Galesburg Fire Dept. Engine 51 as they make their way down Cherry Street during the Galesburg Downtown Community Partnership Holly Days Parade on Sunday.
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave from the top of Galesburg Fire Dept. Engine 51 as they make their way down Cherry Street during the Galesburg Downtown Community Partnership Holly Days Parade on Sunday.

The parade, sponsored by Blick Art Materials, carried the theme "12 Days of Christmas."

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Jones said as with any event, there were was some chaos behind the scenes, especially getting everyone in their calculated spaces, "but we remained flexible and it worked in our favor.

"Overall, I am thrilled for the turnout — especially since I was coordinating it for the first time. If only the mist at the end was a light dusting of snow, it would’ve really been magical.

"But we lit the way for Santa, made Galesburg glow, and we’re ready to grow next year."

Jones said she already has ideas for next year's event, including a new theme, a way to present performance groups to showcase their talents, as well as incorporating an area for disabled attendees.

"We already have a few ideas conjured up and it’s only going to make the event even more special in future years," Jones said. "But for a first event, we’ve been getting rave reviews from people that viewed it in person and online."

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Galesburg's '12 Days of Christmas'- themed parade draws 3,000 spectators