The first full weekend of December has been set for a fun filled weekend of Christmas activities in Wayland. The fun begins on Friday, December 5th at 5:00pm which will be the start of the Annual Art Hop. From 5:00pm-9:00pm Friday, the downtown streets will be transformed into an Art Hop and many Christmas festivities. The street will closed so guests so can walk safely from the different venues. Artists will appear in various downtown businesses showcasing or selling their art. In addition to art, there will be many family friendly activities including horse and wagon rides, warming fires, strolling carolers, musicians, an annual Christmas tree lighting, and much more. Artists are encouraged to register for an opportunity to showcase and sell their art. For additional details, please visit www.downtownwayland.com.
On Saturday, December 6th, the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Wayland’s Annual Christmas Parade. 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 Station, 160 W Superior. Visits with Santa will take place at the fire department after the parade. Please bring a camera for pictures with Santa. This year, the parade theme is “Christmas Past and Present” 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 participants who decorate according to the theme (“For Profit” businesses are not eligible). Please note that the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce provides Santa Claus for the parade so it is requested that all other parade entries do not use another Santa in their displays. This will avoid potential confusion for the children. For parade participants, vehicle line up begins at 10:00am and walkers line up at 10:30.
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 Christmas Project, which donates meals and gifts to those in need. For additional information on the project, visit Wayland Christmas Project on Facebook.
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-10:30am. 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.