Downtown Windsor Winterfest to be the biggest yet

By Jared Berg

The annual Windsor Winterfest parade is set to be the biggest in its five-year history, parade workers say.

The parade, which has almost tripled in size since its inception in 2012, will see more than 150 floats cruise down Ouellette Avenue from Firestone Tires to the river while hundreds of Windsorites watch.

The parade is run by volunteers from around the city, led by paid employees from the Tecumseh-based parade contractor Dynamic Displays.

“It’s definitely grown now,” said John Zuidema, who has worked on the Windsor parade for five years. “Last year, I think there were 150 floats. Before, there were only 50 or 75.”

Dynamic Displays also runs parades in some of the biggest cities in the world, such as Houston, Atlanta and Mexico City.

“We use it as an excuse kind of to go traveling,” Zuidema said. “Not only do you get paid for them but you also get to enjoy the city itself. I went to Dallas, I went to Miami, and I got to enjoy the cities.

I’d say I’ve worked 20 to 25 parades over five years, maybe a little bit more.”

Windsorites have shown they are interested in parades, which is why the Winterfest parade continues to grow.” Nate Crumble, who has attended multiple Windsor parades, said they are important to the community.

“I think the best part about any parade in general is that you can get out of the house and have some fun,” said Crumble. “You can get some fresh air and see some people you know.”

With the experience of the parade workers and volunteers, the Windsor Winterfest Parade is expected to be a success. The parade is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. on Ouellette Avenue and everyone is welcome.