Community braces cold
for Parade

Lafayette - Despite the cold weather, parade goers bundled up and drank hot cocoa. 

150 parade units braved the cold, traveling from Ninth Street through downtown, past the courthouse and across the Wabash to the West Side. Mail to the North Pole was happily collected. While the floats and marching bands were popular, a few kids who attended the parade said it's all about big guy in the red suit.

"The Purdue Band and Santa, that's the big thing. Santa! I like the fire trucks!"

Band members kept lips from freezing on instruments, but just barely. Clever parade watchers found spots inside downtown businesses, while marchers got a kick performing on Main Street.

"Hey, you know what, we're looking for a prosperous new year. We have a wonderful community, where there's so many things going on, and people are out, energetic, and it's a good time in our area," said Lafayette Mayor, Tony Roswarski.

"Tons of volunteer hours, 150 floats. It just means a lot. Greater Lafayette Commerce does it mostly to get people downtown, to celebrate the season and increase quality of life. We had TEMA guys all over the parade route, so we knew what was going on, we've got camera showing every angle, so we could really see a lot. We had a really good handle on how the parade was running," said Eileen Booth, with the Greater Lafayette Commerce.

Kids have been working on Christmas wishes.

"Motorcycle for my dad. A couple toys for my cat. And a bigger stocking for my cat. I want a Barbie. And a horse," said one youthful onlooker.

"The first year we did this, I did not think in advance. My dad now has hooked me up with these hand warmers! There's one in my hat!" said Seth Conley and Stefanie Davis.

WLFI will broadcast a video replay of the Lafayette- West Lafayette Christmas Parade twice, on December 20 at 11:30 a.m. and again Christmas Day at 5:00 p.m.