Scamper morphs into parade Parade precursor to Holiday Lights

Friday night was a triple-header-event night, in downtown Sparta. Park Bank served as the nexus between the Scamper run and the Holiday Parade. The parade, in turn, was a festive precursor for the Holiday Lights, held in Evans-Bosshard Park. Sandwiched in between the events was Kriskindlmarkt, which enjoyed the massive overflow of customers; the byproduct of a great location and perfect planning. The warmer-than-usual weather allowed the parlay of all activities to be tallied as a huge success, by nights end.

For the past couple of years Covid had put a damper on the Scamper. Jennifer Simunich, Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Sparta, was in attendance and spoke on past Scampers, as well as the present. “Well, for one, today is warmer than any other Scamper I can remember,” Simunich stated. “Today, people were actually walking into Park Bank and shedding clothing, before the run. Also, one of our new additions, the Grinch, seems to be going over quite well. The Grinch has been a huge hit and has partaken in many photos.” Simunich refused to leak the Grinch’s true identity, but hinted that it rhymed with sleet.

Another volunteer, Jennifer Kreider, was at the Scamper, helping to promote positive vibes and keep the event at a high level of fun. “The Boys & Girls club helped me out so much when I was a working mom,” Kreider stated. “They [Boys & Girls Club] gave my kids a place to go and have fun and to be safe. Now that my kids are grown up, I help out by donating my time to provide them with extra support.”

Kreider also spoke of the toll the past two years have taken on the event. “The Scamper was so popular and it just kept growing every year, until Covid hit,” she explained. “But this is a really good turnout, and everyone is smiling and joking around.” Then Kreider had a joke of her own, stating, “It does look like the Scamper is getting its legs back.”

Set the Scene

    The Park-Bank-outside-digital clock was shifting between the time and temperature. It was officially 46 degrees at 17:27, as firetrucks, with red lights flashing, blocked any south-bound traffic on Water Street. Running contestants were dressed as Christmas Trees, reindeer, elves and even candy canes. Christmas lights were donned by quite a few runners, as were colorful sweaters and removable antlers. Even the Butterfest Royals were on hand, with smiles set at maximum, musing at all the cool costumes and efforts put forth by the contestants.

Families were set to run together, like the Dinger family from Norwalk. Damian and Ashley Dinger ran, while children, Myles and Brinley, took the buggy express. The largest group running together consisted of 6 participants: Mark and Krista Sherin, Jim and Barb Moorhead and Bill and Mary Herrman. They also will have their names engraved on a plaque, officially being set into Scamper legend and lore.

The start of the race saw a flurry of colors whizzing by the onlookers, lined up along Water Street. There was also a flurry of furry dogs, who were dressed up in colorful sweaters and removable antlers, as well. The first runner across the line was a young man with red shorts on and a Christmas sweater from the 1960s. The Dinger family crossed the finish line, buggy and all, in good time. A pair of Christmas trees, complete with lights, finished together, both laughing as they crossed the finish line. The group of six that had earned plaque recognition, came in quite close to last place, barely beating out a three-legged turtle.

It was indeed a fun time for all involved, with proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Club, of Sparta.

Parade

    As soon as the Scamper fun run was done, engines started up to pull the floats down Water Street. Sidewalks resembled an average day in New York City, absolutely jammed and crammed for the parade. Children were in the streets, awaiting candy tosses, while smiling and creating childhood memories with friends.

Taking lead position of the parade was the Sparta Area Fire Command vehicle. It was decorated in Christmas lights, which showed up quite well against the bright-red background of the vehicle. The miniature version of the infamous Ben Biking guy was riding around, in real time, right after the Fire Command. Generations Dance Academy soon followed. They were dressed in red shirts with snowflakes on them and black pants and shoes. All dancers had silver pom poms, giant smiles and a wealth of energy and desire to impress. They were greeted with boisterous cheers by all in attendance.

The parade continued with marchers and floats representing Family Promise of Monroe County, Saint Patrick’s School and even Miss Black River Falls, who floated through the packed streets. A school bus was decorated in Christmas tree lights and several young men went by on pseudo-snowmobiles, while a dog scooted through in a mini-remote controlled car. The Butterfest Royals were not on their usual float, but rather a wagon, complete with the iconic snowman and Christmas tree. Lady Butterfest, Jenny Lydon, and Festmaster, Steve Schauf, lead the prestigious group in cheerful smiles and waves. The parade ended as it began, represented by the Sparta Fire Department.

Holiday Lights

    Last, but definitely not least, was the Holiday Lights, over at Evans-Bosshard park. A bonfire sent dancing flames reaching for the stars on the clear night. Heidi Prestwood, Executive Director of the Sparta Chamber of Commerce, introduced Mr. and Mrs. Clause, and rallied the crowd as the countdown from 10 was started. The crowd joined in the countdown, with decibel levels reaching a fever pitch as the count edged its way towards 1. At that point, switches were flipped, flipping the park into a bright and magical holiday wonderland. Christmas trees of varying sizes, bright-white snowflakes, colorful toy soldiers, peace symbols, stars by the dozen and icicles, all lined the landscape.

As folks and families filtered through the bright lights, you could hear laughter and camera shutters. People posed for photos in front of the Gingerbread House, Santa’s Sleigh, the toy soldiers guarding the bridge, old-school lawn decorations of snowmen and elves and the coveted photo, with Mr. and Mrs. Clause themselves, inside their home.

It was a grand kickoff for the holiday season, bringing the social aspect of celebrating the season as a community back into to its original and true form; the form it was intended to always be. The night proved to be more than silliness, joyfulness and comradery; it stood tall, as a plotted point in history, stating the resilience and strength of a City, the power of a county and an unspoken promise that friends and neighbors keep knowledge of in their hearts: We will survive together, or not at all. The official note of the holiday season, has been sounded.