Fairfield Rotary to host Christmas Eve Parade

FAIRFIELD — An evening of holiday merriment awaits Fairfield residents on Dec. 24 as the Fairfield Rotary Club will host its annual Christmas Eve Parade.

For more than 90 years, the Fairfield Rotary Club has been organizing a memorable parade that winds through town — led by jolly ol'' Saint Nick himself. This beloved tradition brings Santa Claus, his reindeer, and elves to town to celebrate Christmas with the community. Santa's sleigh will be accompanied by cast iron bells ringing loud and proud to celebrate his arrival into town.

The parade begins at 5 p.m. at the Iowa National Guard Armory on West Stone Avenue and winds through town before concluding near Central Park around 6 p.m. Jyoti Raj Adhikari, interim president of Fairfield Rotary, said the club is inviting young area students to ride along and sing. Students interested in singing can report at 4:40 p.m. to the staging area in back of the armory.

For many families, getting a picture with Santa is one of the highlights of their holiday season, and this year is no exception! Adhikari invites everyone to bring their cameras to capture the precious moments of their kids with Santa before he leaves on his world tour.

The parade will follow the same route it has taken for many years. The complete route of the parade is as follows:

• Start at 1501 West Stone Avenue Iowa Army National Guard Facility North Parking Lot.

• Turn West on West Stone Avenue to North 23rd Street.

• Turn South on North 23rd Street to West Grimes Avenue.

• Turn East on West Grimes Avenue to North 22nd Street.

• Turn South on North 22nd Street to West Burlington Avenue.

• Turn East on West Burlington Avenue to Sixth Street.

• Turn South on South Sixth Street to West Adams Avenue.

• Turn East on West Adams Avenue to Maple Street.

• Turn South on South Maple Street to Madison Avenue.

• Turn North on South Highland Street to Burlington Avenue.

• Turn West on East Burlington Avenue to “D” Street.

• Turn North on North “D” Street to Broadway Avenue.

• Turn West on East Broadway Avenue to Court Street.

• Turn South on South Court Street to Burlington Avenue.

• Turn West on Burlington Avenue to Main Street.

• Turn North on North Main Street stop at the middle entrance to Central Park.