From All Around, People Travel And Get 'Holidazzled'
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Holidazzle crowds with people from all over came to experience old and new traditions in the 19th year of the Holidazzle parade.
Parade goers got a first glimpse of the new Alladin and the Magic Lamp fairytale float this year and, for the first time in Holidazzle history, the parade featured fireworks, which were shot off above Nicollet as a special addition for opening night.
The parade also stunned people with old favorites: 15 floats, 350 thousand lights and 300 costumes.
Many families say they've been bringing the families since the parade began.
"Gosh, 10 to 15 years," said Michelle Quade of New Brighton. "We all get dressed up with long underwear on and stop at the local for Irish coffee and hot chocolate for the kids."
Diane Kulzer of Rutland, North Dakota also comes every year when she comes to visit family in Minneapolis. This year, she got a front row seat with her two year old grandson Xander.
"I am sure he doesn't remember last year, so going to be fun, we are in the front we are excited," said Kulzer.
Arianne Halverson and her children came from Elsworth, Wis. for the fifth year in a row.
"They look forward to it every year they count down the days," said Halverson, who hopes her children carry on the tradition someday.
And it's not just parade-goers who consider it a Minnesota must. Catherine Juul has been playing in the parade band since 1996, when she was in ninth grade. On opening night, she played trombone with the Minnesota Freedom Band.
"I bet this is the same red sweat suit someone wore back then," she joked. "You get to wave at the folks and share the holiday spirit."
The Target Holidazzle Parade runs Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 19.
See our recap page of the Holidazzle, complete with pictures and video of the entire parade.
