Community Parades

45th Annual Chamber Christmas Parade & Santa Visits

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Held on the first Saturday in December is the Annual Christmas Parade beginning at 11:00am. Parade line up begins at 10:00am at the Wayland VFW Post #7581 and concludes at the Wayland Fire Department. Non-profits are eligible to win a cash prize for decorating according to the parade theme (announced in October). City Police parade rules are enforced and should be reviewed prior to participation. Parade rules can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

On Saturday, December 2nd,  the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Wayland’s Annual Christmas Parade & visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  The parade will begin at 11:00am at the Wayland VFW Post 7581 located at 735 S Main Street. The parade will proceed North on Main, then go West on Superior. The parade will conclude at the Wayland Fire Department, 160 W Superior. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be riding in a beautiful hand crafted locally crafted wagon by J W Schut Custom Hitch Wagons. At the parade conclusion, they will be available to greet children at the Wayland Fire Department. Those wishing to receive a picture are encouraged to bring their camera.

This year, the parade theme is "A Charlie Brown Christmas" which allows those entering the parade to decorate accordingly. It is not required to decorate to the theme, but it is required to be included in theme judging. Cash prizes are awarded for the top three non-profit participants who decorate according to the theme. For Profit businesses are eligible to win the annual Christmas Parade. Please note that the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce provides Santa and Mrs. Claus for the parade so it is requested that all other parade entries do not use another Santa, or Mrs. Claus, in their displays. This will avoid potential confusion for the children.

For parade participants, please register at  - REGISTER NOW

Vehicle line up begins at 10:00am and walkers line up at 10:30. Parade rules must be reviewed prior to registering and can be found in the registration link.

Leading the parade will be Grand Marshals Roger and Mary Jane Merren, longtime residents of Wayland and true pillars in our community. The Merrens are best known for their humble servanthood attitude and willingness to serve their community in various ways including over 50 years serving on the Wayland Fire Department (Roger), former local business owner (Mary Jane), both being Wayland Alumni Hall of Famers, coaches for Little League and dedicated service to community boards, local schools, and athletics.

Prior to the parade, the community is invited to attend the annual pancake breakfast at the Wayland Fire Department, 160 W Superior Street, from 7:00am-10:00am.  For a nominal charge, guests can enjoy a hot breakfast consisting of an All-You-Can-Eat buffet consisting of pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, juice, milk, and coffee. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Wayland Fire Department.

In addition, the Wayland Boy Scout Troop 97 is encouraging parade spectators to bring non-perishable food items or gently used or new coats, gloves, scarfs, boots, and hats. There will be many Boy Scouts walking in the parade picking up these items along the route. Items can be handed to the Scouts as the walk by. All items will go towards the Wayland Christian Neighbors.

For those interested in a warm beverage or snack prior to the parade, Greenridge Realty office in Wayland will be set up to serve complimentary cookies, donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anyone who would like to enjoy something warm while waiting for the parade.

Christmas Parade Breakfast

The public is welcome to attend the pancake breakfast hosted by the Wayland Area Fire Fighters Association at the Wayland Fire Department from 7:00am until 10:00am.

Enjoy all-you-can eat pancakes, eggs, sausages, biscuits & gravy with coffee, juice or water.

Breakfast prices are: Cash or Checks Donations which all proceeds will go towards the Wayland Area Fire Fighters Association

Many thanks to our generous Breakfast Sponsors

Chief Sponsorship

Deputy Chief Sponsorship: Gun Lake Casino

Captain Sponsorship: Action Awning, Golm Insurance Agency

City Police Parade Rules are as follows:

• Nothing shall be thrown from any moving vehicle. Handing out candy or other objects is permitted by walkers only.
• All dogs in the parade must be kept on leashes and held by someone strong enough to handle them.
• All animals participating in the parade must be kept under control.
• Four wheelers, all-terrain vehicles, and mini-racers are prohibited except in certain conditions that are approved by the Wayland City Police Department.
• A parade entrant which operates a vehicle or other equipment in such a way that can be dangerous (burn outs, careless/reckless driving) to spectators or other parade participants will be removed from the parade and possibly cited.
• The parade route is one-way. No parade entrant may reverse direction.
• Participants on bikes, scooters, skateboards, skates, etc. must wear a helmet and proper safety equipment.
• No one may step off a vehicle, float, or any other moving piece of equipment during the parade except in an emergency. Float riders must be completely on the float with no legs or other parts of the body hanging over the sides of the float.