Community Parades
46th Annual Chamber Christmas Parade - SAVE-THE-DATE for Saturday, December 7, 2024
Saturday December 7th, 2024 - 46th Annual Chamber Christmas Parade & Santa Visits
General Parade Info:
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.
Parade and Theme Press Release:
On Saturday, December 7th, the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce will host Wayland’s 46th Annual Christmas Parade beginning at 11:00am. We are proud to announce Paul and Lucy Kaczanowski of Wayland as the Grand Marshals who will be leading the parade. This year’s parade theme will be “Gingerbread Lane.”
“The Chamber of Commerce is honored to annually select the Grand Marshals to lead the 46th Annual Chamber Christmas Parade started in 1978. Mr. and Mrs. Kaczanowski are longtime residents of Wayland and true pillars of our community. We couldn’t be more excited to have the Kaczanowskis as our grand marshals,” stated Denise Behm, Chamber Executive Director. The Kaczanowskis are best known for their humble servanthood attitude and willingness to serve their community.
Their journey as Mr. & Mrs. Paul Kaczanowski began 55 years ago when they were wed. Residents of the City of Wayland since 1972, Paul and Lucy are known to many for the extensive time they have given the community. The Kaczanowskis have six children, twelve grandchildren and soon to be three great-grandchildren.
Paul was the co-owner of Wayland Chrysler for 35 years. During that time, Paul was very involved in the community, having served on the Board of Directors for the Wayland Union Education Foundation, City of Wayland Planning Commission and the Council for the City of Wayland. Paul currently serves on the Board of Review.
Lucy retired from Archer Hampel Kubiak Funeral Home after 17 years of service. She also served on the Board of Education for St. Therese School and helped start the Home and School Association. In addition, Lucy spent time at the Laurels of Sandy Creek as a volunteer and currently volunteers at Allegan Pine Trails Elementary School.
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 All-You-Can-Eat breakfast 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. 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.
For parade participants, please register here: REGISTER NOW
2024 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 the morning of the Christmas Parade.
Enjoy all-you-can eat pancakes, eggs, sausages, biscuits & gravy with coffee, juice or water.
Cash or Checks Donations are accepted, all of which 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.
City Police parade rules are enforced and should be reviewed prior to participation.
Parade rules can be viewed at the bottom of this page. To register, click - HERE
Wayland Memorial Day Cemetery Honors Announced – Monday, May 27, 2024
All are invited to Wayland’s VFW Annual Memorial Day events scheduled for Monday, May 27th. Veterans are needed for cemetery honors and parade participation. The bus for the cemetery honors will depart by 7:15am from the Wayland VFW. Please arrive by 7:15am. The cemetery schedule is:
8:00am: Hooker
8:20am: Hill
8:50am: Native American
9:15am: Germond
9:45am: St. Cyrils & Methodias
10:15am: Elmwood
As always, we ask that trucks/semis refrain from blowing horns and sirens throughout the parade duration.
If you are able to participate for the cemetery honors, please contact the Wayland VFW Post #7581 at 269-792-2975 (after 4:00pm)
The parade will begin at 11:00am.
The parade will stop at the downtown four corners to perform Taps at the flag in the downtown mini-park (northeast corner of Superior/Main Streets).
12:00pm VFW Post Memorial Day Ceremony at the flags at the VFW.
12:30pm Luncheon - Public Invited
Lunch Options: Hot Dogs and/or TBD sandwich with chips.
Sandwiches $5, Hot dogs $3, Pop or Bottled Water $1 each.
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.