Beautiful Weather Graces the Bucktown Christmas Holiday Light Parade 2022
by Rebecka Hoyt, Editor & Photographer
Such beautiful weather graced the start of the Christmas season at Buchanan’s downtown Holiday Light Parade during Bucktown Christmas. The sun was starting to set and a little chill came through the air, but not too much of a chill. This is the shortest parade in Buchanan! Young and old attendees in the parade were dressed up as Santa’s helpers/reindeer, a pile of presents, a walking wreath, doggies as elves, a snow globe, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory characters, Megahurtz Robotics Team, Miss Buchanan and her court, BCYF royalty court, Niles Apple Festival, Listing Leaders, cars decorate with Christmas lights, yours truly Tom and Rebecka Hoyt of The Buchanan Chronicle, and of course: Tracy and Dave Dippo (former Redbud Hardware Store owners) as the Grand Marshalls for the parade.
The parade started at 5:30pm from the duck pond/Veteran’s Memorial Park parking lot on W. Front Street downtown Buchanan to Oak Street, then right into the Common for the lighting ceremony. Stacey Martin, led with an opening prayer and Miss Buchanan and her court started the countdown to light up the Common! A team from the City of Buchanan and DPW came up with the holiday light design to make our community brighter and to get us into the holiday spirit.
There was a costume contest for those in the parade as well as a storefront decoration contest which the community voted on. Winners of the costume contest: Snow globe, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory characters/family and Santa’s helpers/reindeer. Winners of the storefront decoration contest for The Judges Choice Award: Buchanan District Library; and The People’s Choice Award: Bucktown Boutique. Both businesses donated their monetary prize to RAM (Redbud Area Ministries). Thank you!
Special words of thanks and blessings to the community were given by Buchanan City Mayor Sean Denison, Tracy & Dave Dippo as well as Stacey Martin. The crowd sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer led by Raquel George, and she also blessed the crowd with another song. The weather made this even more enjoyable as more people attended the ceremony. When it was all done, kids made their way to the stage to get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. And then you were able to warm up in the Redbud City Center building with some hot cocoa and cookies provided by Buchanan Church of the Nazarene. Enjoy the view of the beautiful lights this Christmas season.
About Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce: Since 1960, the Chamber has promoted a spirit of community in order to enhance the growth, prosperity, and quality of life in the Buchanan area. Life truly is better here!
2020 Reader’s Digest Nicest City in America – Buchanan, MI!
About The City of Buchanan, MI: The City operates under the Commission–Manager form of government as prescribed by the City Charter. Under this model the City Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the City, with the Buchanan City Commission’s main function being legislative and setting important policies that chart the future course of Buchanan. The City Commission is made up of five (5) members who serve four (4) year terms. The Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem are selected at the first meeting in November following the City election. Current City Manager: Heather Grace ~ Current Mayor: Sean Denison.
- Typical Hours at City Hall:
- Monday – Thursday : 9am-4pm
- Friday : 9am-1pm
The Buchanan Chronicle 