decorahnews.com feature story: Behind the scenes of the 27th annual holiday parade

Posted: Wed, Nov 28, 2018 11:26 AM

2018 marks the 27th year for Decorah's annual lighted holiday parade.

Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristina Wiltgen takes care of the details of the parade up until parade day, issuing permits and answering any questions.

Gary Rustad was the parade organizer for the first 20 years of the annual parade. Darin Svenson has taken over those duties for the past 7 years. Rustad gave Svenson good advice when he handed over the reins, saying, "Don't overthink it. Nothing will go exactly as planned. Don't stress over it."

Svenson says the weather can have a lot to do with parade entries. "If it's good weather, we have had 40 to 45 entries. If the weather is snowy, we have around 20 entries," said Svenson, adding "there are around 25 entries so far this year."

Work for Svenson on the day of the parade consists of staking off the parade route around noon. Entries line up around 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on South Avenue. Judging takes place around 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. When the 6:00 p.m. whistle goes off, the parade will proceed towards Mill Street.

"We call our parade the 'Lighted Holiday parade" as we think it helps put people in the Christmas spirit, and encourages them to use as many lights as they can on their entries," said Svenson. He and Tyler Rinken will be judging the entries again this year. The winners will receive chamber bucks.