Yelm’s Christmas in the Park parade, which returned for the first time in several years due to COVID and lack of participation, kicked off what was a jam-packed day of family-oriented events on Saturday, Dec. 2.
The parade began at 9 a.m. and concluded roughly 45 minutes later and was followed by a series of performances at Yelm City Park. After essay award winners were announced at 10 a.m. The elementary band performed at 10:30 a.m. and was followed by a series of performances by students of Lackamas, McKenna, Fort Stevens, Southworth, Mill Pond and Prairie elementaries. The Yelm Middle School choir and band each performed separately and were followed by Ridgeline’s band and choir as well. Performances were concluded at 4 p.m. by the YHS treble and select choir.
Teri Melone, Yelm Community Schools communications director, said the school district always loves partnering with the Yelm Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event, and with the City of Yelm, which provides the facilities to make it happen.
“It’s a work in progress as we prepare over a couple of months, but it’s always good to see everyone enjoy it,” Melone said. “Christmas in the Park is a great opportunity to showcase the schools and the programs we offer — both band and choir. It’s a great opportunity for these kids to perform in front of their families and communities. I think it’s what draws most people out to see the different performances and activities.”
Melone called the Christmas in the Park activities a tradition and said it’s a fun way to begin the holiday season in Yelm.
Amanda Munoz, the executive director of the Yelm Chamber of Commerce, said she was glad the parade returned. She said having Larry Schorno as the parade’s Master of Merriment was special as he’s done so much for the community.
“Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I really believe the parade is the perfect way to kick off Christmas and festivities. It really puts you in the holiday spirit and feels like an amazing service to get that to the community and give the event to families, children and anyone who wants to be there,” Munoz said. “Thank you to everyone who showed up and to those who participated in the events. A special thank you to the City of Yelm and Yelm Community Schools for all of their efforts in making these events happen. It’s a collaborative effort, and I’m so thankful everything worked out.”
Munoz said she particularly enjoyed having the Yelm High School marching band participate in the parade and described it as a festive touch. She added she loved all the fun, holiday decorations throughout the parade.
“I am so grateful the weather held out. It was really a beautiful day on Saturday, and I thought it was going to be stormy. It was a beautiful morning, and it was nice and sunny by the time the parade got started, which made it even better,” she said. “There was so much representation from the community within the parade. There were lots of amazing organizations and school representation throughout the parade, as well. It was a great day.”
Harry Miller, known around Yelm as Santa Claus, participated in the event and said he was thankful to see the parade return for the first time in several years.
“I got to be in the parade, and Stewart Kunkel has custody of a 1927 Howard Cooper fire engine for Renton Fire, and it lives off of 153rd. I got to be towed by that vehicle,” Miller said. “One of the things I was worried about was the longer we’d go without the parade, the more people we’d see losing interest in it. That wasn’t the case, and I thought the people who organized it did an awesome job.”
Miller said he loves “unlocking something in each kid” during the holiday season with each interaction he has. He said the parade was great with some fun floats and good participation from the community.
Watch for Miller throughout the holiday season as he’ll spontaneously stop by different businesses in the Yelm community, decked out in Santa attire.
