HARTFORD — The Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Christmas parade this Saturday, at 3 p.m., in downtown Hartford, which will feature a “Star Studded” theme for this year’s parade.
The city will also kick off the holiday season with several events and festivities both before and after the parade.
The weekend begins with Holiday Open House, which will run from Friday through Sunday. Various shops in Hartford will offer deals and specials to shoppers. You can contact your favorite Hartford businesses to see which deals they will be offering.
On Saturday, Santa will be making an appearance in Hartford ahead of the Christmas parade aboard the historic Soo Line 1003. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and see the 112-year-old steam engine train, in Hartford from 10:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. ahead of the parade at the corner of Main Street and Wisconsin Avenue.
A toy drive will be held by the Hartford Union High School H-Club in conjunction with the visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus abroad Soo Line 1003. Unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the caboose of the train.
The 40th annual great Hartford Craft Expo, hosted by the Hartford Women’s Club, will also be held Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hartford Union High School, 805 Cedar St., Hartford.
Over 90 vendors will have crafts for sale, and from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the Hartford Lions Club will host their Pancake Day at the high school, as well. Admission to the craft fair is $5.
The annual Hartford Christmas Parade will then step off at 3 p.m. from Highland Avenue and Main Street, traveling along Main Street through downtown Hartford to the intersection of Main Street and Monroe Avenue.
During the parade a mitten drive will be held by the St. Lawrence Eager Beaver 4-H Club. You can donate mittens to 4-Hers along the parade route on Saturday, along with collection locations at Faith & Giggles, Landmark Credit Union, the Jack Russell Memorial Library, and the Slinger Community Library. Collection locations will be accepting mittens through Dec. 1.
Following the parade, the Holiday Riverwalk Lights will be officially lit for the holiday season.
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For a full list of the weekend festivities in Hartford, visit the Hartford Area Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page at tinyurl.com/yaheppxh.
Upcoming Christmas parades and events
In addition to the Christmas parade and festivities in Hartford this weekend, other communities will host a slew of Christmas and holiday events in November and December.
■ West Bend: The holiday season kicks off tonight with the West Bend Christmas Tree Lighting at 5:30 p.m. in Old Settlers Park, 200 N. Main St.
The West Bend Christmas Parade will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 30. This year’s theme is “Ringing in the Holiday Season.”
■ Slinger: The village will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 5 at 5:45 p.m.
■ Kewaskum: The annual Christmas Parade will be held at 5 p.m. Dec. 7. The parade will have a “Whoville” Dr. Suess theme.
■ Newburg: The village will hold its annual Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7. The Newburg Christmas Parade will have a “Super Hero” theme this year.
■ Germantown: The Christmas Festival Parade, which will have “An 80’s Christmas” theme, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15. The parade will be followed by the annual Christmas in the Park in Firemen’s Park.
