Independent Bank and Jaycees Santa Parade -

History

The Independent Bank and Jaycees Santa Parade, held on the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving in downtown Grand Rapids, is a tradition of more than 100 years. The parade serves as the kickoff to the holiday season in West Michigan.

Dating back to the late 1800s, the parade is an opportunity for local children to get their first look at Santa Claus.

In the early 1900s, the parade was organized by downtown department stores. Families from all across the region would make an annual trip to downtown Grand Rapids to watch the parade and then continue the day by shopping at nearby stores.

As shopping locations began to move away from the city's center to suburban locations, downtown merchants no longer had the ability or desire to continue organizing the parade. In 1969, the Grand Rapids Jaycees took control of all aspects of the parade. The Jaycees continue to organize and implement the parade today.

In 2003, Independent Bank became the parade's title sponsor and opened its first downtown location on 86 Monroe Center Avenue. The parade is televised live on WZZM-TV 13 and hosts a crowd of approximately 12,000 patrons annually. More than 80 entries make up the parade every year.