Fairfield Rotary plans Christmas Eve Parade

FAIRFIELD – Fairfield Rotary will hold its annual Christmas Eve Parade on Dec. 24, with a shorter route than in years past.

Santa’s sleigh will depart from the west side of the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center around 5 p.m., a change from prior years when it departed from the Iowa National Guard Armory. It will travel west six blocks west to Sixth Street, then turn left onto Adams Avenue and go until D Street, and then turn to Broadway Avenue and finally end up on the west side of the Fairfield square between 5:45-6 p.m.

Dave Reiff, a 40-year member of Fairfield Rotary, said the change was made to accommodate the possibility of rain on Christmas Eve.

Once Santa reaches Central Park, he and Mrs. Claus will welcome children into their sleigh and ask what they want for Christmas. Fairfield Rotary is supplying candy to throw along the route, and give to children who visit Santa in Central Park.

Reiff said that, though it’s hard to be sure, this might be the group’s 100th parade. The tradition of Fairfield Rotary holding a Christmas Eve parade began in 1920 and stopped for a few years during World War II.

“This has been a Rotary gift to the community for close to 100 years,” Reiff said.

Reiff said the group’s members feel strongly about giving kids a chance to see Santa and Mrs. Claus no matter the weather.

“Even last year when it was 20 below, we shelved the parade in favor of a nice session [with Santa] at the convention center,” Reiff said. “We don’t even talk about the possibility of not doing it because our forefathers always figured out a way to have it, so we’re trying to uphold that tradition and make good on our 100-year legacy.”

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Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com