Winter Fest

by Dawn Gray

The fifth annual Winter Fest parade featured roasted chestnuts, fresh beaver tails and Motown legends Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

The parade was produced by the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association and took place at 3 p.m. Saturday Nov. 19. It ran down Ouellette Avenue from Giles Boulevard to Pitt Street. Leading the parade as grand marshal was Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, followed by a number of different marching bands, inflatables and several Windsor businesses and associations, all decked out in holiday décor.

Before the parade, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were at the Coffee Exchange to meet fans and sign autographs. Linda and Terry Raniwsky, longtime admirers of Martha Reeves, came to Winter Fest just to see the Motown legend.

“I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember. I grew up with Motown music and I love Motown music and Martha is the best,” said Terry. “Every year my wife and I get a Christmas card from her — she’s the best.”

It was a cold afternoon, but parade goers kept warm with hot cocoa and beaver tails. Linda Raniwsky said waiting in the long line was well worth it.

“I love a fresh beaver tail,” said Linda. “And they just made it, it’s still warm.”

After the Santa Claus float, the parade was over in less than an hour and crowds quickly dispersed, just in time to miss the temperature drop to near freezing and the sleet that followed shortly after.