The parade must go on

The 41st Annual Grafton Christmas Parade was held this year after organizers quickly pulled together additional safety precautions following an incident at the Waukesha Christmas Parade that left six dead and more than 40 injured.

Shortly after the Nov. 21 Waukesha Christmas Parade, where a person plowed their SUV through crowds walking along the parade route, Grafton parade organizers considered canceling the parade as more information came out about the incident.

Organizers were initially concerned that the incident may not have been isolated and could occur at other parades.

After several meetings between the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, Village of Grafton and Grafton Police Department, an announcement was made Nov. 23 that the parade, which annually draws thousands to the village, would go on with additional safety precautions put in place.

In a joint news release from parade organizers, they stated that while safety measures are always taken at the annual event, the Waukesha accident created a need to reevaluate those strategies.

Additional precautions included additional barricades around parade entrances, heightened police presence and snow plow trucks parked in strategic locations to prevent any unauthorized vehicles from entering the parade area.

With limited staff and equipment shortages, organizers relied on neighboring municipalities to ensure the parade could occur safely. Those who assisted include Cedarburg Police Department, Cedarburg Public Works Department, Port Washington Police Department, Mequon Police Department, Saukville Police Department, Saukville Department of Public Works, Waubeka Fire Department, Thiensville Fire Department and the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office.

Village Administrator Jesse Thyes offered his thanks to all those involved in a Nov. 29 press release.

In the letter he offered his gratitude to the many agencies assisting with the event as well as members of the village staff and Chamber.

“This year’s Christmas Parade not only carried with it the healing power of community, but also illustrated the selfless actions of many who played a role in providing this wonderful event,” Thyes said.

During the Nov. 27 parade, special tributes were made to the victims of the Waukesha parade accident.