Parading through a break in the weather

New Berlin - With the 2011 New Berlin Christmas parade in the record books, Christmas Parade Committee co-chairman John Ziino called it another success, but with a weather-related downside.

Seeing poor weather conditions until a half hour before the parade, lots of people thought the event would be canceled and didn't come out, Ziino said.

To avoid such confusion in future years, parade organizers want to figure out how to get the word out when the parade is still on, Ziino said. That will be the main topic as the committee gets together Jan. 12 for its wrapup meeting.

The solution might be keeping radio and television stations updated on the parade or maybe some kind of information posted on the Internet, Ziino suggested.

The weather was so bad, even some parade units called to ask if the parade had been canceled, he said. It had rained pretty much all day, but stopped about a half hour before the 3 p.m. parade Dec. 3, Ziino said. Then less than half an hour after the parade, the rain started again, he said.

Despite the comparatively light turnout, the parade itself was a thumping success, Ziino said.

"The kids really loved the camels and donkey and the reindeer," he said. He knows that because parents waiting for their little ones to visit with Santa enthusiastically told him so.

The reindeer were back after their debut last Christmas, and the camels and donkeys were new to the parade this year.

To make next year's parade and celebration afterward even better, Ziino invited everyone to email him with what they liked or even maybe didn't like. He may be reached at johnziino@aol.com.

The parade is sponsored by the Prospect Lions Club of New Berlin in partnership with the city, La Quinta Inn and Holiday Inn Express. The parade also has many other sponsors and benefits from the donations given for its keepsake Christmas tree ornaments.

Serving on the committee besides Ziino are William Tucker, co-chairman, Dan Coakley, Bob Ulatt, James Gasperetti and Kay Jashinsky.

- Jane Ford-Stewart