Albion basks in growing ‘Santa’s Hometown Parade’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 December 2023 at 2:39 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ava Jurs was a dancing Grinch in a float promoting The Parlour in Albion. It was one of many floats and enthusiastic parade participants on Saturday during “Santa’s Hometown Parade.”

Albion hosted a lighted parade for the third year on Saturday. This time the route was officially closed to non-parade traffic and there were judges, with a big after-party at Dubby’s Tailgate. There were many people along the route from East Avenue to Main Street, then on East Bank Street to Platt Street, ending at Dubby’s.

It was unseasonably warm for the parade with temperatures near 60 degrees.

Sheryl Watts (left), owner and artistic designer of Air Raising Events, created two gnomes out of balloons. She was joined in the parade by Roger Ragan.

Aubrey Gannon carries the American flag to lead off the parade. She was followed by Girl Scouts who created a Polar Express float.

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd. They are in a boat on a trailer. It was a float by Susie’s Boat-tique.

Susie’s owner Susan Oschmann organized the parade.

“I loved the turnout,” she said today. “It more than doubled in size from last year in parade entries and onlookers.”

She said she is grateful for help from Michael Bonafede, Judith Koehler and others who helped make the event a success, including judges Matt Holland, Tim Archer and Susan Howard with Joe Martillotta the emcee. The event was part of a big day with many activities by the Albion Merchants Association.

The winning entries in the parade included Wild Flour Deli and Bakery in first place. This photo shows Wild Flour owner Beth Miller walking by the float that created a baking scene. There was a baking fight in front of the judges with some dough being tossed around.