Holiday season marches into New Berlin with flair

New Berlin - Christmas will rush into New Berlin with color, carols and camels come Saturday.

That's when the New Berlin Christmas parade will step off, Santa will hold court and the Christmas tree will be lighted to mark the official start of the holiday season locally.

This year's parade will have new highlights in addition to old favorites.

Parade pieces

The parade will start at 3 p.m. at Moorland Road and National Avenue and head west on National to Casper Drive at 163rd and National Avenue.

Among the first-timers will be a crack drill team from Chicago called the South Shore Drill Team.

"They're quite spectacular," parade chairman John Zino.

The group has performed at the Kentucky Derby, the Indy 500, and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in Chicago. This year, the team was the Class A Champion of the Winter Guard International competition.

Another winner with crowds, wherever they are, is the Dancing Grannies, who will be part of Saturday's parade.

"They're a crowd-pleaser," Zino said.

The parade also will pay homage to the reason for the season by having an entire Nativity Section - Mary and Joseph with a donkey (recalling the couple's trek to Bethlehem); the Three Wise Men, complete with live camels; and other costumed marchers.

The Nativity Section came about though the partnership of three local churches: Christ the Victor Lutheran Church, Holy Apostles Catholic Church and Resurrection Lutheran Church.

Also in costumes will be members of the Prospect Lions Club pushing grocery carts that they hope the crowd will fill up for the New Berlin food pantry.

Christmas music will float over the event, thanks to the Eisenhower, New Berlin West and Greenfield high school bands, plus a number of smaller bands.

At the back of the parade will be Santa, who will come grandly down the street on his sleigh pulled for a second year by live reindeer.

Lights and more action

At 4 p.m., the tree lighting, sponsored by the New Berlin Lions Club, will start at Veterans Memorial Park, Casper Drive and National Avenue. The Lions will have candy-filled Christmas stockings for the children.

Meanwhile, Santa will take his place at the firehouse across the street and get ready to welcome his little visitors. They can have their picture taken with him, and each child will leave with a gift.

Children with letters to Santa can drop them into a special mailbox right at the firehouse, and their letters will be answered. This year, the postal carriers cannot march in the parade to accept their letters.

Anyone who is a little nipped by the cold will be able to warm up with the help of Boy Scout Troop 93 from Holy Apostles Church and School. Scouts will sell warming refreshments in the firehouse.

Also, anyone who has not gotten this year's New Berlin Christmas parade keepsake ornament will be able to get one in the firehouse after the parade while supplies last. A $10 donation is requested.

Also, those who didn't get a chance to donate food for the pantry during the parade can do so afterwards.

The major sponsor and the organizer of the parade is the Prospect Lions Club, of which Zino is a board member and former president. But the parade also benefits from many other sponsors and the proceeds of the ornament sales, Zino said.

- Jane Ford-Stewart