Saline Set for Holiday Fun

The 36th Annual Holiday Parade in downtown Saline is set for the evening of Saturday, Dec. 3 and it’s shaping up to be another major happening for the Saline area community, accordingt to organizers. 

“It’s amazing,” said Larry Osterling Executive Director of the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce, which is once again organizing the event. “Every year the parade committee goes out of its way to outdo the previous year and this time it’s no different. In recent years our Holiday Parade has grown into a big attraction in southeast Michigan and crowds grow bigger and bigger every time. I estimate that with the Holiday Parade and all the events leading up to it and the week following we will attract in excess of 25,000 people to the area. The Holiday Parade itself has become a big budget operation and we’re very fortunate to have the ongoing support of the and a ton of supportive sponsors who help make it all work”.

According to Osterling, Saline’s unofficial shopping season has already kicked off with last weekend’s traditional holiday open houses at and The , two of Saline’s most stalwart downtown retailers.

“People wait with anticipation for days, even months, to be one of the first to see what unique things these store have to offer and we make it a point to have our seasonal tree lighting display going to give the downtown that special holiday atmosphere," Osterling said,

This year the Holiday Parade theme is the “Saline Polar Express.” It will feature bands, twirlers, unicyclists, animals, and professional-level entertainment of all kinds along with the traditional Santa arriving at the end to greet hoards of excited children of all ages. The Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. with Michigan Avenue closing to traffic at 5 p.m.  

Early arrival is recommended and there will be a free shuttle coach available from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. between and the shuttle stop in the parking lot behind .  The grand prize winner of $1,000 worth of Busch’s Groceries along with the three other grocery raffle prize winners will be drawn at various times during the Parade.

Following the Parade, Santa will be available at “Santa’s Village” in the Building at 117 S. Ann Arbor St.  Visitors are advised to bring a camera for pictures. Also at the Stone Arch, during the entire weekend, the Saline Area Players will perform “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” 

All of last year’s performances sold out and early reservations are recommended. 

Call 734-429-1480 for further details.

There are more events planned for the week following the Holiday Parade. Local merchants have donated gifts for giant stockings which will go to five lucky winners during the “Treasure Trail to Santa” on the following Saturday, Dec. 10 at , from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Santa will again be on hand along with horse-drawn carriage rides and more fun for kids of all ages. For more details see the Chamber’s website.