Delta County Historical Archives Santa on fire truck downtown Escanaba circa 1950.

ESCANABA — Cold candy canes collide with the icy cement.

Frosty breath fills the air. A siren sounds in the distance. Warm smells of hot chocolate and apple cider waft in the wind.

It’s time for the Christmas parade in downtown Escanaba.

For decades now the annual parade has ushered in the Advent and Christmas seasons. Memories mingle with the marching band’s music. St. Nicholas himself makes up the caboose of this procession.

The merchants and the city of Escanaba have a long tradition of welcoming Santa Claus to the downtown right around December first. Visiting Santa and Christmas shopping in Esky was something every family looked forward too.

The Christmas parade itself has been through many changes over the years. From Miss Mistletoe contests to fire trucks with Santa and from horses to huge logging equipment, the parade has always been exciting.

When I was younger, the parade was held on a Saturday afternoon. By the time my kids came along the parade was switched to Friday evening.

Early December offers quite a variety of weather for the Christmas parade. One year we wore hoodies; other years we had parkas zipped up to our noses.

The clothing type for the parade depends on two things… are you marching in the parade… or are you standing still watching the parade.

If you are watching the parade from the curbside, be prepared with warm winter gear. I recall many years when my young family was getting ready to go watch the parade a mad dash was made into the storage bins of winter clothes. Boots mittens and scarves were a must.

I remember one year when big, fluffy snowflakes, like in a snow globe greeted the parade. One year, when I was walking in parade with my co-workers from the Escanaba Public Library, Ludington Street was cover with sleet.

One year, below-zero temperatures made it so that the wind instruments could not play.

Hometown spirit warms everything up at the parade. Being a part of the hike down Ludington Street or riding on a float sets the mood for a Yooper Christmas.

Over the years, I’ve helped decorate floats for Holy Name School when I worked there and again when my children went there.

The Escanaba Public Library is where I work now, and I have joined in with the library crew giving out book markers and treats.

My daughter marched in the parade with the library logo. My son held the American flag with his Boy Scout troop.

This year’s parade is going to be a little different starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 and running from east to west.

So put on something warm and hurry down to main street with your bag to collect candy. The Christmas parade is about to begin!

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Karen (Rose) Wils is a lifelong north Escanaba resident. Her folksy columns appear weekly in Lifestyles.