A crowd of more than 17,000 people lined Wabash Avenue Saturday to kick off their holiday season at the 10th annual Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s (SMWC) Light Your Way Christmas Parade, presented by Thompson’s Honda and Toyota of Terre Haute.
The parade’s more than 80 entries included Christmas light displays, music and, of course, a finale appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who wished everyone a ‘Merry Christmas’.
The Claus’ were preceded by more than 1,500 community members, showing off their Christmas spirit by walking, handing out candy or riding on floats on a cold but dry December evening in the Wabash Valley.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to gather the community together in downtown Terre Haute to kick off the holiday season,” said SMWC President Brennan Randolph.
In addition to the crowds, several safety partnerships were formed for the parade. The Terre Haute Police Department, Terre Haute Fire Department and Vigo County Emergency Management Agency partnered with SMWC Public Safety and SMWC Criminology students and professors to ensure a safe, enjoyable event. Overall, about 20 safety volunteers helped with the parade.
“I’m excited to see all the looks on the faces of the kids who come to this parade. It’s a beloved community event,” said SMWC senior Lauren Rindone, of Brazil, Ind., who has served as a Christmas Parade intern since 2022. “I’ve been involved with this since my freshman year, and it’s grown to be such a big and fun event.”
Judges for the parade were: Scott Jaeger from presenting sponsor Thompson’s Honda and Toyota of Terre Haute and vice chair of the SMWC’s Board of Trustees, Susan Turner ‘14MLD, executive director of Terre Haute Children’s Museum, and Tim Sanders, VP/general manager of WTWO. Master of Ceremonies was Terre Haute’s own J.T. Jefferies.
Each judge scored every parade entry.
The winners of the parade were:
- Best overall: Terre Haute Regional Airport
- Most creative: GE Aviation
- Most lights: Vigo County School Corporation, Transportation Department Bus
- Honorable Mention: Envisionary Media