APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — In the wake of an SUV speeding through a Milwaukee-area Christmas parade, the city of Appleton will pay tribute to the victims during its own parade.
What is billed as the Midwest’s largest nighttime Christmas parade remains set for College Avenue on its traditional date of the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.
“We wanted to wait and make sure we understood the facts. Given the information they shared and sense that they provided that the incident was isolated in nature, that helped to make the decision for us here in Appleton,” said Parade Committee Chair, Corey Otis. “The safety and security of our participants, our spectators, and our volunteers is always our top priority. So we weren’t going to move forward until we felt confident in the plan put forth by the Appleton Police Department…This is usually a jubilant event to kick off the holiday season, but obviously, there’s a fog cast over it.”
“If there would’ve been intel to suggest that this was something other than what it was, we certainly would’ve had to look at our plan. However, given what we know about that incident, nothing has really changed in terms of how we’re going to approach safety,” said Assistant Police Chief Polly Olson.
“The committee and city of Appleton have decided to proceed with our 50th Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade,” said Mayor Jake Woodford. “The parade will also feature a silent procession, which will occur immediately before the start of Appleton’s Christmas parade, dedicated to the Waukesha community.”
Woodford asked anyone in attendance to take part in a moment of silence as that procession passes along College Avenue.
Police also spoke Monday about how the parade route will be secured to ensure what happened at Waukesha’s parade won’t happen in Appleton.
“The city of Appleton is committed to providing safe events for our public gatherings, and the community will see a strong presence at tomorrow night’s parade in the form of personnel and vehicles,” Woodford said.
“So we’ve actually utilize hard barricades and our plans for several years already. So our plan is very robust it was prior to the tragic incident that happened on Sunday,” Olson said. “We do have extra resources coming into town. The State Patrol has always been a great resource for us as well as the county, and some of our local jurisdictions will also be participating and providing resources…There are a lot of behind the scenes things happening that the public won’t necessarily be aware of. But know that there is a lot going on behind the scenes to keep you safe…You’re going to see a large contingency of different [things], from squad cars strategically placed to other large vehicles.”
A joint statement from the City of Appleton and the Appleton Parade Committee was released:
The City of Appleton stands with our neighbors in Waukesha in the wake of yesterday’s tragic incident at their annual Christmas parade. Our hearts are heavy even as we prepare to hold our own Christmas parade and to gather in the same spirit of community, celebration, and peace that brought the Waukesha community together on Sunday. The City of Appleton has reached out to the City of Waukesha directly to offer our support and heartfelt condolences as they mourn. We also extend our condolences to members of our own community affected directly and indirectly by yesterday’s events.
After careful consideration, the Appleton Parade Committee and the City of Appleton have decided to proceed with our 50th Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade. Participants and attendees, as in years past, will continue to see public safety personnel from the Appleton Police Department present on the route. The Parade Committee and the Police Department have worked collaboratively for years to provide safe gatherings for our community, and the Appleton Christmas Parade on November 23 will be no exception.
The Parade Committee will feature a silent procession, which will occur immediately before the start of Appleton’s Christmas Parade, dedicated to the Waukesha community. The Committee asks that parade attendees join in a moment of silence for the victims and families as the procession passes by.
The Appleton Christmas Parade will follow its planned route, moving eastbound on College Avenue from State Street to Drew Street. The parade route will block or restrict traffic on and across College Avenue from 6:00 p.m. until approximately 10:00 p.m. See below for a timeline of traffic closures provided by the Appleton Police Department:
4:30pm – State St is closed from College to Sixth. Staging area is closed to all traffic except parade units and local residents/businesses. The staging area is the area between College and Sixth on the N/S, and Walnut and Memorial on the E/W.
5:00pm – Lawrence from Memorial to Superior becomes a one-way eastbound-only.
5:40pm – East/west traffic on College between Richmond and Lawe is shut down. N/S remains open at Richmond, Drew, and Appleton Streets. Northbound-only traffic remains open on Morrison Street, as does southbound-only on Durkee Street.
6:00pm – Cross traffic at Drew Street is shut down. College/Morrison (n/b only), College/Durkee (s/b only) & College/Appleton remain open.
6:30 pm – All cross-traffic along College Avenue is shut down. N/S remains open at Richmond and Lawe.
