Light Up Hutch Christmas Parade and Festival Grand Marshall Santa Claus on Dec. 7, 2024, near the intersection of Main St. and Avenue A. The Hutchinson Fire Department built the sleigh and reindeer CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE
By Gina Long
The second Light Up Hutch Christmas parade and festival filled Main Street from Avenue B to 7th Ave. Saturday evening.
This year, 100 organizations participated, up from 75 in the parade’s inaugural event.
The weather played its part, with daytime high temperatures in the low 60s dropping into the mid-50s and an occasional strong cold breeze from the southwest.
The parade started with a color guard supported by the Patriot Guard Riders and an honor guard from the Sons of The American Revolution.
Santa appeared first in a sleigh with five reindeer, including Rudolph, built by the Hutchinson Fire Department, according to HFD Chief Steve Beer.
Crowds were heavy along the route, and the VIP bleacher seating in front of Roma’s Italian Restaurant was packed.
Children chased candy and souvenirs handed out by parade participants.
Maverick Deason, 8, took turns with Azaylea Deason, 10, and Vivienne Price, 11, all from Hutchinson, gathering items along the street and sharing them with people around them.
“My favorite part [of the parade] is the candy,” he said while vigorously waving at the parade entries and booing a costumed Grinch.
Robin Snook of Hutchinson watched in front of the Wiley Building. “It’s the first year I’ve seen it, and I think it’s wonderful. People can see all the lights here. It’s beautiful,” she said.
Local celebrity judges included Hutchinson Mayor Greg Fast, Vice Mayor Stacy Goss, Director of Strategic Growth David Sotelo and StartUp Hutch Entrepreneur Navigator Mario Hawkins, who observed each entry from the parade’s sponsor, Ad Astra Radio, in DCI Park.
“The parade is so successful in its second year with such great participation,” Fast said. He praised Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Downtown Manager Sarah Diamond for organizing the parade and festival.
“I appreciate the time and effort everyone put into the activities; they took a lot of planning. It is so cool to see,” Goss said.
The event’s winning entries had not been announced as of press time.
