JINGLE BELL PARADE
Grand Haven, MI December 6, 2008
It's time for a the parade. Your hosts will be, well who else would it be, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus!!!!
Last week my husband and I were dropping off the kids for youth group and decided to venture to downtown Grand Haven, MI There is something special about the stretch of Washington in that it just so charming. We grabbed a cup of coffee at Jumpin' Java and then walked down the way a bit where we saw the festive little house designed just for Santa. I am sure there are many kids who have sat on his lap by now!!
But today is the big day!!! The parade begins at 6:00 pm but I would try to be there a little early. The funny thing about this parade is that we are in the middle of an incredible snow storm!!! Can you say, "Lake Effect Snow!" Well we got it. This morning we woke to three foot drifts around our cars. My husband is out there right now clearing the way so my daughter can go to work!!
But parades must go on!!! The parade route would be:
Franklin to Harbor Drive, Harbor Drive to Washington and Washington back to Central Park.
Once the parade gets back to Central Park,there will be the grand finale!!! The lighting of the Christmas tree!!!
It is a darn good thing the salvation army is going to be there to provide hot chocolate because I think there are going to be some major Popsicles out there. The temperature as I type this is whopping 20°. Wind shield factor is around 10° degrees. 
Check out the beach cam HERE. . . . . anyone want to go for a walk on the pier. . . NOT!! This is about 1/2 mile from the parade route.
I am going to admit something to all of you. THAT IS TOO DARN COLD FOR ME!! I completely admire those of you that can do it because it sure will be something to see!! I personally can't wait until it's time for the ice sculptures!!! Now that I won't miss!!
There is another "cannot miss" during the Christmas season. The light show, put on by the rotary club now, gained national attention a couple years ago. A gentlemen in my community put a light show on to music. But this is a whole other blog so keep watching for that one! Keep checking back!! Better yet just subscribe to my blog!
God Bless and Happy Holiday and STAY WARM IT'S A BLIZZARD OUT THERE!!!
Hi Tami, It sounds beautiful and I have lived in snowy places but *brrrr* I like my sunny San Antonio home. Keep warm.~
Shirley - You know what, when it is this wicked out, at some point it stops being beautiful and starts being unbelievable. My son has a dance tonight for his girlfriends school--at this point I can not believe they have not cancelled it.
Tami...
This looks like fun. I'm going to a parade in Senoia GA tonight!
OK OK so I will quit complaining that I have to do subdivision duty and unlock and lock the new homes available in 50 degree weather! I think snow is pretty and I do enjoy it "once" a year for a few days. Sometimes here in Alabama but sometimes we actually drive up to the Tennessee mountains to get a peek at it! I sure as heck don't want to ever have to shovel it! Enjoy your parade and your snow!
Debbie
Richard - I bet it won't be 19 degrees at your parade!!!
Debbie - We have now snowblown the driveway 3 times in the last 24 hours!! Snowball fight anyone!
Poor Tammy....come visit us in sunny Florida, I had my AC on today...lol
Kelly - I have my fingers in my ears . . la la la . . .I can't here ya . . .I got your darn air conditioning . . lol
Tami,
Forget Florida! Come to Tucson! LOL
Mike in Tucson
I came down with a cold, so have been in bed all day.Now if my kids had been marching or walking or dancing I would have forced myself to go. But, there is always next year. Having not missed one for 19 years I feel like I did the right thing. Although it was the opening of Christmas season to me.
Wow! did they end up canceling the dance? We had 58 degrees here today. I couldn't handle all that cold! KM
Tami,
Sounds like a whole bunch of fun BUT there is just one small problem, the temps are too cold for me. When it gets below the cold line, 32 degrees, I am not the outdoors type either.
Mike - I don't care where I would go -- as long as it doesn't have a foot and a half of snow! My husband just blew out the drive AGAIN!! But it isn't snowing now!!!! Yeah!!!!!
Missy - Sounds like a good reason not to go. And I am like you, if my kids were in it . . . . Lindsey thought about taking her horse in it but decided not to!! Yeah!
Kristin - NO THEY DIDN'T CANCEL!!! I THOUGHT IT WAS NUTS!!!
Don - I can handle the cold but I can't handle the frigid. . lol
Tami, They sound like wonderful events but I too get VERY cold. I have always wanted to go to the NYC Thanksgiving parade--you have to get there hours early and most years it's just too cold for me. Those people who can do it amaze me!
Carole - They amaze me to. The only time I am warm in this kind of weather is when I am cross country skiing!
The only reason I went to the Christmas Tree lighting and Santa's arrival this year was the somewhat warmer temperatures in the 40's. I'm a fair weather fan for all things outdoors. For those who are willing to brave the cold, however, I'm sure the event you described was a lot of fun. And the kids seem to be oblivious to cold.
Margaret - Why is it that kids are always oblivious - we need to tap into that somehow!
Tami,
I hope it was a great time for all.....
I don't know Dan - I was a big fat baby . . kidding I had a good excuse . . . was taking pictures of my 15 year old and his girlfriend all dressed and pretty for her winter dance!