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This year’s Holiday Lighted Parade in downtown Watertown just might be the biggest one in the event’s 28-year history.
As always, Kemp Avenue fireworks will kick of the parade.
More than 10 days before the November 29 parade, the Watertown Business Association already had more entries than the total number of participants in last year’s parade.
And there were more expected to sign up, according to Kay Solberg of the WBA.
“I’ve had 10 or 15 groups pick up entry forms that have not been returned yet,” Solberg told the Watertown Current, “so the number of entries could still grow.
Another parade entry may feature the Watertown Arrows football team, fresh off its South Dakota Class 11AA State Championship win over seven-time defending state champion Pierre. Logistics were still being worked out.
“I’m so excited about them being in the parade,” Solberg said. “They will be a real crowd-pleaser.”
The parade kicks off with fireworks on Kemp Avenue at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. The parade will begin immediately after the fireworks. After the parade, the focus shifts to Jenkins Living Center, where a tree-lighting ceremony will be held, accompanied by more fireworks.
Angie Reppe
The grand marshal for this year’s Holiday Lighted Parade is Angie Reppe, owner of the Gather coffee shop at the corner of Kemp Avenue and Second Street SE. Since opening seven years ago, Gather has become a fixture in downtown Watertown.
“Angie is a downtown property owner and a downtown business owner,” Solberg said. “And she does a lot to help out other downtown businesses. She is definitely deserving of this honor.”
