Santa Claus arrives in Bucyrus

BUCYRUS - Why would anyone stand outside in the dark in 38-degree weather on a quiet Friday night? 

“To see Santa” was Aiden Thomas Cox's quick reply as he waited Friday night for Bucyrus' annual Santa Parade to roll down South Sandusky Avenue.

The 7-year-old Bucyrus Elementary School second-grader and his parents, Angela and Chris, were stationed at the Rensselaer Street intersection to watch the Christmas season kickoff. Angela Cox said they attend every year but agreed that it's hard to believe the holidays are here. “It came too early, that's for sure,” she said.

It wasn't dark or quiet for long as local law enforcement cruisers, firetrucks and snowplows lit up the street with their flashing lights and blaring horns. High school bands, some with Christmas lights wrapped around drums, played everything from “Jingle Bells” to Adele's “We Could Have Had It All.” A pony wearing a Santa hat, a Great Dane in a green sweater, Winnie the Pooh and Olaf from “Frozen” were among the pets and costumed people walking and riding in the parade. Banks, churches, retailers, service clubs and other groups strolled along, with many handing out candy to kids along the way.

Looking toasty in her pastel jacket and koala hat, 3-year-old Lacey Tate had a front-row seat in her tiny Ohio State chair. Dad Dustin Tate and grandpa Russell Sellman had her bag at the ready to get treats from the marchers. 

Ethan Hoover didn't need a bag as he sat in the back seat of a white SUV parked by his dad Ben. The excited Bucyrus Elementary School fifth-grader accepted candy through the window as he explained the family had gotten dinner from the newly reopened Wendy's down the street. Mom Chrissy said they had gotten their prime watching spot about an hour before the parade stepped off. 

Down at Schines Art Park, David Wolfe and other Good Hope Lutheran Church members were the first shift of a live nativity scene with folks playing the magi expected to arrive later. Wolfe said the church is part of Bucyrus Neighborhood Churches, a group of local congregations that participate in community events such as trunk or treat. 

Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Tyler Jacobs said the parade went amazingly well for its size. He cited the Bucyrus Police Explorers, Pioneer Career and Technology Center students, Rotary and Kiwanis members for serving as roadblock volunteers. Without them, the parade wouldn't have made it out of the lot, Jacobs said. “And that is no easy task.”

Those are the kinds of volunteers that Carolyn Anne Smith appreciates. Parade organizer since 2004, when the event had lapsed and Midwest Furniture owner Doug Godwin reached out to her, Smith said volunteers and sponsors make the parade happen. It has actually grown to the point it has to move north to south to have enough room for the lineup. Smith buys costumes on sale in the summer and turns girls and young women, many of whom have never worn dresses or had their hair and makeup done, into princesses for an evening. Santa and Mrs. Claus rode atop a Bucyrus firetruck before young visitors were greeted at the house in Schines Art Park.

“I was very pleased with it,” Smith said of Friday night's 90-minute extravaganza. With more than 160 units, she said the parade was the “biggest one we had... It's been a blessing. It's more than just a Santa parade.”