Two weeks prior, city of Faribault snowplows were clearing eight inches of snow on the original date of the Parade of Lights. The rescheduled (due to the snowstorm) parade included the festive city snowplow.
WITH LIGHTS ALL AGLOW, from ground to sky, Faribault showcased its holiday spirit Friday evening during a festive Parade of Lights.
Across from Burkhartzmeyer Shoes, a crowd gathers outside Bernie’s Grill.
Warm temps hovering near 30 degrees brought out all ages to the second annual Winterfest. I was there, on the corner by third-generation family-owned Burkhartzmeyer Shoes, taking it all in.
Looking north on Central Avenue to the crowd waiting for the 5:30 p.m. fireworks and then the parade.
I sensed the anticipation as the crowd swelled, waiting for the fireworks followed by the parade.
Except for an inability to see only the highest fireworks over the tall buildings along Central Avenue, everything else went seemingly well.
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer tops a Faribault police vehicle.
A Faribault fire truck.
The back of the fire truck is a colorful blur of lights as it moves down Central Avenue.
Another entry from the city of Faribault.
The murmur of conversation, the rock of familiar holiday tunes like Jingle Bells, the bobbing of Santa hats, the flash of holiday lights…all created a real sense of holiday joy. I felt it. I heard it. I saw it.
One of my favorite units: sheep and a “wool blanket” on a “bed” representing the iconic Faribault Woolen Mill.
There’s something about an event like this that makes us all pause and celebrate, as a community, the spirit of Christmas. Faribault needed this. I needed this.
No holiday parade is complete without Santa and Mrs. Claus, here on the Elks Lodge float.
Keeping everyone safe…
Loved the gingerbread house.
To Faribault Main Street and to all who participated in the parade—from the Boy Scouts to the firefighters to local businesses and many more—thank you. You gave us all a gift on Friday evening. You brought holiday joy to Central Avenue, to our Minnesota community.
After the parade, the crowd disperses.
Parade-goers absolutely embraced these 45 minutes of Winterfest, this opportunity to unite and celebrate the holiday season in Faribault.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a lovely event. So glad they were able to reschedule it so that everyone could enjoy the celebration!
Me, too.
We must have been right across the street from you Audrey…outside the Signature Bar where we had pizza before the fireworks and parade. Our grandchildren enjoyed the parade. I was glad it had been rescheduled.
Yes, you were right across the street from us, kitty corner. I thought of you and wondered if you came. So glad the grandkids could enjoy Winterfest with you.
That was a light-attaching effort wasted without a 45 min. drive. Where were the fireworks set off from? I don’t ever remember fireworks anywhere near downtown, only Alexander Park. But, then, I’ve been gone a long time. Great fun – great weather even if we’re likely to have a brown Christmas here. Been a long time since that’s happened. Great shots. I watched the video they put up on FB too.
I’m not exactly sure where the fireworks were set off, but maybe near Heritage Park.
What a beautiful evening for a parade and fireworks. The snowplow with the snowman is my favorite.
The temps were ideal for the parade and it truly was a beautiful December evening. I loved the festive spirit I could feel. The snowplow is one of my favorites, too. So many wonderful parade units.