The seventh annual Toledo Santa Quad Parade is scheduled for December 6, 2023, promising to kick off the festive season in style. Participants are encouraged to decorate their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), trikes, riding mowers, or golf carts for this unique event. According to a news release from the Toledo Parks Board, the parade will commence at 5 p.m. after a lineup starting at 4 p.m. at the Toledo Middle School, located at 155 N. Fifth St.
To join the parade, interested individuals must register in advance and sign a liability waiver, which is accessible online. A specific requirement for those using riding mowers is that they must have their decks lifted to participate. Once the parade begins, participants will traverse through the South Lewis County community, concluding at Kemp Olson Memorial Park where hot chocolate and other refreshments will be provided.
Elizabeth Buell, Chair of the Toledo Parks Board, shared details about additional festive activities planned for the event. “I have met with the high school principal, Mr. Shawn Leggett, and he, along with the wood shop and art teachers, have agreed to create cutout boards for the parade,” Buell stated. These boards, purchased and donated by Mayor Cherie Devore, will be available at the park for photo opportunities following the parade.
At the culmination of the event, attendees can enjoy hot chocolate, candy canes, and caroling. Buell mentioned that song sheets will be printed for community members who wish to join in the singing. A fire will also be lit in the covered kitchen building at the park, providing warmth for participants.
The Toledo Santa Quad Parade first took place in December 2019, initiated by former Mayor Steve Dobosh. He noticed low attendance at the city’s Christmas tree-lighting ceremony and proposed a parade featuring decorated quads and side-by-sides. The inaugural event ended at the gazebo near the boat launch, but last year, Mayor Devore relocated the ending point to Kemp Olson Park, enhancing the community’s festive experience with refreshments.
“We hope to continue to make this event better and better every year,” Buell added. “Our goal is to foster community spirit and celebrate the holiday season together.”
For further details about the parade, residents can follow the official Toledo Santa Quad Parade Facebook page.
