The Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Water Street Lighted Parade on Friday, Dec. 13 in downtown Decorah. The parade will start at 6 p.m. in the 200 block of East Water Street and will travel seven blocks west to the intersection of Mill Street. The parade is free to enter, and organizers encourage all floats to embrace the 2024 vintage Christmas theme. Santa will lead the parade in Dotzenrod’s Carriage, with the chamber board of directors, staff and ambassadors.
The chamber will name a winner among both the large and small float entries, following the conclusion of the parade. Winners will be chosen based on their integration of lights and how well they embrace the vintage Christmas theme. To register for the parade, businesses may fill out an entry form by visiting www.decorahareachamber.com or by calling the chamber staff directly at 563-382-3990.
The Chamber won’t be hosting photos with Santa at T-Bock’s Sports Bar and Grill following the parade, but organizers said the public will have other opportunities to meet Jolly Old St. Nicholas.
Helping Services will be hosting Santa every Friday, Saturday and Sunday up to Dec. 22 during the Holiday Lights event at Pulpit Rock Campground. Sunflower Child Development and Discovery Center will offer a hot cocoa bar and professional photos with Santa before, during and after the Water Street Lighted Parade on Dec. 13. The public can also attend Santa on the Farm at the Northeast Iowa Dairy Center that same day. Professional photos with Santa will be taken during the Holiday Craft And Vendor Expo on Dec. 14 at the Winneshiek County Fairgrounds. The Landing Market will be welcoming families to Breakfast with Santa that morning and offering another chance to have professional photos taken with Santa — The Landing will also be hosting Everyone is a Kid at Christmas for individuals over 75 that afternoon from noon to 1:30 p.m. Toppling Goliath will offer live music and play host to what organizers called the real Santa on Dec. 21.
“The chamber extends a special note of appreciation for Mike and Dom Bockman’s support of the photos with Santa event in their second story space for so many years,” the chamber said in a statement. “Their dedication to community and holiday magic is heartfelt and far-reaching.”
Organizers said Santa will be visiting a number of other area locations this month.
Submit A Comment
Fill out the form to submit a comment. All comments require approval by our staff before it is displayed on the website.