Downtown sets holiday parade, tree lighting

More than 40 entries are scheduled to participate in Racine's downtown Holiday Parade on Saturday, Nov. 8 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Among those marching will be Santa and his elves, live reindeer, lighted floats, costumed characters and more -- including the Marine Corps League Color Guard and the 132nd US Army Band.

Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa which will be picked up along the route by Racine Post Office postal carriers. Children are reminded to put their return address on their letter as Santa has promised that he will personally answer every letter.

The parade, sponsored by Twin Disc and presented by the Downtown Racine Corporation, begins at 5:30 p.m. on Main and State Streets, progresses south along Main Street and then heads west on Sixth Street to City Hall.

Immediately following the parade, a tree lighting ceremony will be held at Monument Square where Santa will light the Community Christmas Tree, accompanied by caroling, costumed characters and refreshments for sale at Monument Square.

This year’s Community Christmas Tree is a 30 ft. spruce donated by Paul Bouwma of Racine.

There will also be a free family hands-on art event at RAM. From 1-4 p.m., enjoy RAM's newest exhibition, "Basketworks: The Cotsen Contemporary American Basket Collection" and then weave a wonderful basket to give as a gift or keep as a treasure.

Parade participants in alphabetical order.

• 132nd Army Band with the Wisconsin Army National Guard
• Agerholm-Gross Detachment #346 Marine Corps League
• Academy of Dance
• American Coed Pageants
• American Professional Driving School
• CNH with Jane & Kidd from WMYX
• Central Bark – Racine Dog Day Care
• Century 21 Savaglio & Cape
• City of Racine Mayor Gary Becker
• City Alderman 1st District Jeff Coe
• City of Racine Stage on Wheels with Nightwing
• Corvettes for Christ
• Dance Arts Center
• Downtown Racine Corporation
• Downtown Racine’s Mr. Bear
• Eight Tiny Reindeer
• The Enchanted Carriage with Santa
• Four Seasons Lawn Care and Rent-This-Truck
• The Grinch - RIC Electric and Racine Harley Davidson
• Gospel Lighthouse
• Horlick High School Student Government
• It’s All About Racine – Mark Eickhorst
• Jelly Belly Visitor Center
• Jo-Don Farms Live Nativity Scene
• Mickey Mouse and Tigger
• The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies
• Miss Latino Racine Scholarship Corp.
• Proper Paws University
• Racine Area Soccer Association
• Racine Broadcasting, Lew Turner
• Racine County Fair, Little Queen Savanna Rasmussen
• Racine County Fair, Little King Dalton Scherer
• Racine 4th Fest Calliope
• Racine Kilties
• Racine Montessori School
• Racine Zoo
• R.E.A.L. School High School Band
• St. Sebastian School
• Sons of Norway Lodge 5-183
• SE WI Racine Hog Chapter #5624
• Star Wars, 501st Midwest Garrison
• US Postal Service Racine
• Vittoria Colonna Lodge
• WITI Fox 6, Justin Williams
• Washington Park High School Varsity Pom Poms
• Wizard of Oz Characters