In the News

The Santaland Parade Committee cannot even begin to thank everyone for their efforts, support, attendance and participation in the 61st Garden City Downtown Development Authority Santaland Parade.  The 2022 parade was one of the best we’ve ever seen. 

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First, we want to express our gratitude to the dozens of volunteers who helped with staging, security, check-in, costumes, character handling, parade marshalling and all of the other things that are essential to putting on a successful parade.  The volunteers who work parade day are indispensable. 

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Thank you to all of the participants.  The GCDDA Santaland Parade had over 75 units this year and they were amazing.  Congratulations to the Garden City Soccer Club for taking first place in the float competition.  Also, to PKSA Karate for taking second and Tipton Academy who finished third.

 

Thank you to Miss Michigan Melissa Beyrand for serving as one of our Grand Marshals.  Also, thanks to WWII Corporal George Leland and Rosie the Riveter/Navy WAVE Flo McCarty for gracing us as our other Grand Marshals.  Along with Rosies Virginia Basler and Emma Timmerman, Essential defense worker Henry Timmerman and Rosier the Riveter Lunchbox Drill Team the Santaland Parade was thrilled to have such important parts of American history as a part of our parade.

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Throw in amazing bands, floats, classic cars, scout groups, dance troupes, teams, balloons, inflatable characters, Santa and more and you had one of the greatest Santaland Parades ever. 

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Thank you to all our sponsors starting with the Garden City Downtown Development Authority.  They have been the title sponsor for over a decade and the parade would be almost impossible without them.  That along with all our sponsors (who you can find at https://www.santalandparade.com/sponsorship-info) make the parade a reality. Our local businesses support of our community is part of what makes Garden City such a special place.  The parade is totally self-funded, and these donations are so important. 

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Thanks to Schoolcraft College.  Their team, headed by Kim Riemke, provided the television production truck and technical support for Saturday’s telecast and thanks to the crew of Christian Gibbons, Jason Mero, Derek Van Doren, Jared Balfour and Nathan York for handling the telecast.  Also, thanks to Susie Racklyeft for co-hosting the telecast and to her husband Jamie for handling the still photography.  We also want to recognize TV stage managers Meghan Lynch and Jim Potvin.

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Thank you to Mike Berry, new business owner in Garden City who allowed us to access his electricity to power the broadcast.

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The Parade Committee wants to acknowledge the City of Garden City along with the GC DPW (Brad Ohman and Steve Michalak) and the GC Police Department (Chief Tim Gibbons and Sergeant Steven Miller) for all of their support with so many different aspects of the 2022 parade.   

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Additionally, our appreciation to Don Nicholson and the Garden City Marketplace for helping promote the parade and helping to coordinate some of our classic cars. 

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The Santaland Parade Committee has worked tirelessly to put this year’s parade together.  The committee is made up of Zac King, Alan Bennett, Dominic King, Mark Randazzo, Mike McGuffie, Zachary Witt and Dan York.  This all-volunteer group has worked for months to coordinate all the moving parts necessary to make this incredible event possible and they are to be commended for this amazing parade.  Also our appreciation to the Garden City Community Coalition including Shaun Hahn.

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All in all, the 61st Garden City Downtown Development Authority Santaland Parade was a huge success.  We hope the parade will help you begin your holiday season, and we hope that you will carry the spirit of the holiday season

year-round.