Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane.
Jackson and Blixon and all. His reindeer's pulling on the reins.
Bells are ringing children singing all his merry and bright.
So hang yours, talking to say your prayers, cause Santa Claus comes tonight.
Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane.
Before Main Street, one of the others, not necessarily down Santa Claus Lane.
Kelly Cruz is here from the downtown Racine Corporation.
The reason we're playing that song, obviously, is because the Christmas Parade's coming up.
Yes, it is.
And I'll tell you a little bit of trivia about that song, here comes Santa Claus.
Genoctree wrote the song, a million people have recorded it, but he wrote it.
He was in the parade, and he was like just before Santa Claus in the Hollywood parade,
which they have on down in Hollywood, you know, down their way of sunset bowl or whatever this Main Street is.
And he said, all the kids were saying, here comes Santa Claus.
They weren't paying any attention to the Genoctree in his car.
They were like, oh, here comes Santa Claus, here comes.
And he got the idea for here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane.
That's right.
See, you come to this radio station, you think you're going to be bored.
You're not going to learn anything.
Look how smart you're going to be now.
Now you go back to the office when you hear that song and you're going to say,
hey, you know what that song came from?
And they're going to say, well, Kelly's amazing.
What kind of kind of knowledge is she have locked up in her head that we don't know?
Yes, that's true.
Yes.
So Santa Claus has come into town this Saturday, November 8th to Main Street and Sixth Street.
And Santa Claus will officially be doing the tree lighting to kick off the holiday season.
You know, I guess you think about it while Green's already kicked off Christmas about two months ago.
So we're looking at that way.
We're just fine.
And this way the weather is going to be just, you know, should be okay.
And it, you know, it's really what I say that said I mean it.
It's really, I think it's really seen as most beloved parade because it's a night parade.
And it, it, it's just so cool to see all the lights and everyone's wearing glow bracelets.
And it's just this really cool fun and it's shorter parade too.
So you're not having to get there early, you know, it, it's a, it's a fun parade.
And we've got all the classic floats that everyone loves, you know, carnival of lights will be there.
Lighthouse brigade, of course, Horla can pop a park, pop and dance teams and singing groups.
And it's just going to be great.
Now what it bothers me is my favorite holiday of the year is Thanksgiving.
And we always go this country always goes directly from Halloween to Christmas.
Well, I think Thanksgiving is sort of part of the holiday.
We give a big bypass Thanksgiving.
I just, I like Thanksgiving.
You can't really pre Thanksgiving though, right?
I mean, Thanksgiving is really a one day eat a lot of food and be done.
Where the holidays, you know, we're trying to kick off the holiday season here.
So that's why we look at it.
My wife already told me what she wants for the holidays.
She already, she already, was that your phone?
Sorry.
Give it to me.
No, it's not my phone.
Remember the teacher in school and you had a little something in the class?
Give it to me.
It's not mine.
Yeah.
You have the fake dog poop.
All right.
Give it to me.
It's not mine.
Have the interview with the fake dog poop bat.
All right.
So the downtown Christmas parade begins.
We just heard Stuart talking about it.
What?
Five.
Yeah.
So officially the parade is on starting on Maine in state street.
And it goes down Maine to six straight to the roundabout.
Really?
You want that far?
Yes.
And although the parade officially starts at 530, we've got a huge pre-parade festivities on
Monument Square.
So we've got all the real school.
We've got Horlick Brass ensemble.
We got Park High School vocal ensemble groups coming.
So starting at 445, there will be singing groups and then there'll be people down there selling
hot cocoa and cookies.
And it's dark now at 445.
It is dark.
That freaked me out yesterday.
I said, whoa.
What time is it?
I know.
It's it's odd this week is but like Monday felt yesterday felt weird after work.
Somebody wrote on put a meme up it says, with this time change it's real strange eating lunch
in the dark.
Watching the sunset.
Yeah.
While eating lunch.
Oh, so this is this is me to how much planning has to go into this?
Do you know, I know when they talk about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York,
they say the planning starts on Black Friday the day after for that.
Yeah, we're not that early.
No, we started planning probably right at the beginning of October.
Really?
Yeah, because you have to get the street closures that all of that has to go through street
closures.
You've got to get permits for the square.
You've got to get all of these vocal groups ready to go, you know, for their their caroling.
And then you have to get all the parade entries submitted and the marketing and it's just there's
a lot of logistics that go into any parade, you know, when you're getting that many people
is staging area has to be reserved, you have to have a shuttle, you got to find parking
for the parade.
What a mission gas putting this thing together.
What?
And then we had to erect the tree and then all of that's getting out the holiday Reese
and the banners are going off.
We're getting all the flowers changed over so like, all of this has been in the work.
But you're smart.
Do you have an artificial tree?
After all these years.
I like to call it a pre-lit evergreen, but it's smart because you don't have to deal
with a with a chopping that a tree, murdering some pine tree.
Honestly, people don't realize how hard it was to get a tree.
So every year in the past, a lot of people don't realize this, but we would put out a call
for pine trees.
And it had to be a certain height.
So it had to be between 20 and 25 feet.
It had to be perfectly circular, right?
Because it can't be next to a house where half of it is gone.
Yeah.
It could not be next to any electrical poles.
It had to be very alive, not partially dead.
So who wants to give up a beautiful evergreen and it's prime, like, please, pre dead.
I mean, so we were driving around the county.
We would get like 10 people calling us saying, I've got the perfect tree.
I've got the perfect tree.
And every tree would be like, are you kidding me?
This one's dead.
This one's literally within the light poles.
This one's halfway on their house.
This one is 35 feet tall.
How are we going to move that?
I mean, it was getting to be so time consuming and difficult.
And every year, the tree was getting a little awkward and oblong or something goofy was
like every year.
So partially dead.
Yeah.
Yeah.
They would really, they would really offer up a tree to the farm.
Of course, they wanted out of their house.
Everyone was calling because they wanted the tree cut down for free, right?
So like, so now this tree that we have is beautiful.
I big thanks to general rental.
They have been a huge help in actually, I mean, because it's quite a lot of work,
even to get it up every year, even though it is artificial.
But, you know, as we get more funding, we could actually, it can grow taller.
So you can add layers to the bottom.
So I mean, I think it's a good height right now.
And it's never partially dead.
It is not partially dead.
It's a good tree.
That's like, gosh.
You have no clue.
You know, I've seen a documentary on how they do the Rockefeller Center Christmas
tree.
Because that thing is new.
Yeah.
They have to.
They get from all it's, it's got to be with the New York metropolitan area and they're
going to ship it all over the country.
And they get the, and they need a flatbed truck that you couldn't believe.
And it takes a day just to chop down the tree, get it all bound up to get, because it's
got to go on the New York State through.
Yes.
It's quite the process.
That's why it was for us too.
Had to be, we had to have parks and the parks department be able to help us and can't
have a tree that's that it's, so we are very happy with our beautiful, perfect trees
now.
And my life is a lot easier with that.
Yeah.
And by the way, with the Rockefeller Center tree, they've got to close down six they have
in you.
You get this tree off the truck.
This is a whole day affair.
Mm-hmm.
Set this thing up.
And you know what Manhattan traffic is like.
It makes people like to shut down traffic just to get the tree off the truck and then
set it up and make sure it's, you know, going to stay.
And they can't have wires and rope showing because that's just not the way they do it.
But they should do what you guys do.
There's got a lot of fish on one.
Take it out of the garage at Rockefeller Center.
You got one.
Hopefully when everyone goes down there, it really does look very pretty and it looks very
different.
These days they look really nice.
Yeah.
You know, it's a beautiful tree.
And I pass it every day.
Yeah.
So we're ready to get that lit up.
Santa Claus will officially be lighting that up.
So he's always the last float in the parade.
Milliger's always does the last.
Santa Claus here.
They do such a great job with their float, but a lot of the people really do a good job
with their floats for this parade because the more lights, the merrier, right?
All right.
We got Kelly Cruz of the downtown.
We're seeing corporations here.
We're talking to Christmas parade and some other things going on.
And Kelly, you were saying that you had to get approval from the council in order to close
down the streets and do everything.
Yes, of course.
Is it in the past says any council member said, no, no, and this year we're not going
to do it.
You got you got to buck the traffic going up and down the street.
Now when I'm going to do it this year, so far, so good.
Could you imagine if one council member said, no, no, no, not what you're going to do?
I think you didn't get the approval yet tonight.
Tonight and the parade is Saturday.
Yeah.
So I mean, I do have to plead the case up there or is it just already on the agenda?
It's already.
I don't think I need to plead the case, I think.
Give them your hands.
It's police.
Yeah.
Close the street.
Yeah.
Now, they also have to provide police too.
Yes.
So there'll be some additional law enforcement down there to help anytime you close down roads
you're going to need, you know, the barricade.
Why did you cut it so close?
It takes the whole process takes about two months.
So I submitted it for two months ago, but it has to go through the mayor's office to
committee meetings to finance then to the full council and the council meets every other
week.
That's just a timing thing.
So what you were going to say about a, there's a secret bar.
No.
You know, I do that.
No.
Okay.
Okay.
We'll save that for another time.
We'll save that for when you're on your last day of appointment.
We'll tell all the secrets and everything.
I thought that was something we were going to talk about.
All right.
Let's talk about some of the new businesses open since last Christmas.
Sure.
So actually this Friday, I'm doing a ribbon cutting for stitched.
It's a new quilting store on six street.
So that'll be Friday at 10 a.m.
So that's been really great.
And then, you know, we've, we've done a few others.
We did a ribbon cutting just last first Friday for the loft 304, which is a really, really
modern, cool space that you can rent out for like baby showers, bridal showers, corporate
events.
It's right above the Tango salon on 304 Main Street, which is thus the name, loft 304.
And of course, we've had a couple other new businesses open up this year, the new cafe,
which is doing great and mathers on sixth and tulip tavern, well, they've been open for
a little longer.
I don't have my list in front of me, but we've done quite a few ribbon cuttings this year.
You know what you do?
Walk around.
You'll see them.
Yes.
Yes.
Okay.
Let's talk about some other events coming up.
We don't want to miss them coming up on November 7.
Flannel first Fridays.
Yes.
So first Fridays continues this Friday and we're encouraging everybody to wear their favorite
flannel shirt.
Oh, I thought it was like flannel jammies or something.
Well, you could do, I guess you could do the flannel pajamas.
I was thinking more flannel shirts, you know, but yeah, then you'll get specials and
discounts throughout downtown if you're wearing your flannel.
So that's always fun and kick off to the holiday season as well.
Just get some shopping.
They'll be live music throughout downtown ladies day out coming up on the 15th.
Now this event is a ton of fun.
So if you're a lady, yes, this is over widows weekend.
Oh, that's right.
This is a widows weekend.
Yeah.
So ladies day out is during the day and it's a free event and basically we have over 40
businesses participating anytime you make a purchase, whether you grab lunch, whether
you grab a drink or whether you purchase a $10 item at, let's say, dimples or a $100
item at a jewelry store, whatever it is, as you shop throughout downtown, every time
you shop, you'll get to draw a card out of a deck of cards.
And if you pull a queen, you automatically get this swag bag that is going to be valued
at over 20 to $30 each.
She turns a little different, but it's got gift cards in there.
And so we'll be given away 40 or 50 swag bags throughout the day for the lucky ladies that
draw the queens because we're, you know, the theme is treat, be treated like a queen in
downtown or seen.
And then even from there, if you get this golden ticket for the queen, you'll be entered
into more prizes.
Golden ticket sounds like Willie Wonka, I know it is.
It is.
So that event gets your ladies together now.
It is such a fun day.
Okay.
The day after Thanksgiving, it's the beer and bourbon black Friday and that's from 1 to 5
pm.
Yeah.
So this is not only are you tasting some really high end bourbons as you walk around
downtown.
We're also doing bourbon infused appetizers along the way.
So bourbon glazed donuts, bourbon glazed jalapenos, I mean, oh my gosh, the bourbon glazed
foods are so good.
So you'll be, you'll be tasting some bourbons and some bourbon, I'm inspired food items
and then as well as some, some craft interesting craft beers.
So that's, and that's on black Friday.
So if you happen to be off of work, it's a great thing to do during the afternoon.
And a lot of people off work, you know, on black Friday, but people don't really go shopping
like they used to.
So I think it's a fun thing to do on the day.
Now the next day, it's small business Saturday.
What's the Grinch with the Grinch?
Yes.
So this is really cool.
So a couple of years ago, we started having the Grinch on small business Saturday.
And this is just a way to get people to come downtown.
The Grinch will be giving away over $1,000 in downtown gift cards and randomly, randomly.
So it could be anything from a $10 gift card to a $50 gift card.
And he will just be silently handing them out to people who are downtown.
There will be bags of candy and treats for the kids as well.
Lots of photo opportunities.
We'll have a couple holiday singing groups inside of Davino Gelato and the red onion
cafe as well.
So it's, yeah, the Grinch will be all over downtown, received that day and just spreading,
actually spreading good cheer.
Yeah, the Grinch spreading good cheer, just something's wrong with that picture.
All right.
So let's move to December 5th, first Fridays.
So that is our last first Friday of the year, but we'll have Santa Claus, of course,
there for photo opportunities.
And just getting in your shopping and supporting those small businesses, again, lots of live
music.
The same camaraderie as the first Friday, but just in the colder weather.
And the Chris Gringold Tour is on the 13th of December.
That is our final event of the year.
Oh, and you have feels good.
I know it feels good for you kicking off your shoes.
I'm done.
Yes.
The Chris Gringold Tour.
We have partnered with ONH Bakery and they help us to provide Kringle at over 30 locations
downtown, all different flavors, all of the newest flavors, all of the very seasonal
flavors.
So literally you just walk around downtown and every store will have a different flavor
Kringle that you can try for free.
So come hungry and of course Santa Claus, Chris Kringle himself and Mrs. Claus will be
down there.
Oh, I get it.
Chris Gringold.
The Chris Gringold Tour.
I'm slow, but eventually I'll get it.
Chris Kringle.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
Sampling Kringle while.
Okay.
One more time though.
The big one is this Saturday, the downtown Christmas parade.
Give us the times again.
Yes.
Official parade starts at 530, but please come down early starting at 445 Monument Square
has lots of stuff going on with musical groups and different smaller vendors that will
be selling your favorite hot cocos and cookies.
And then stay after the parade because immediately following Chris Kringle himself also known
as Santa Claus will be officially doing the tree lighting for downtown Racine.
And then there's even some fireworks.
Oh, really?
Yes.
Yeah.
Look at you pulling out all the steps.
We're doing some fireworks.
You know, it's not the fourth of July fireworks, but it's a it's a nice show.
And it's of course there's a lot of red and green in it and they make it really cool.
If you missed any of our little chitchat here, you can hear the podcast later tonight or
tomorrow morning.
And if you want to catch up on anything where you said you maybe you missed it, you were
in the shower.
You said, I missed that.
I should have gone to work dirty today.
What we'll replay it for you on the podcast at WRJ and dot com and civic media dot us
or ever get your podcast.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Don.
You can't wait till the Christmas season's over, eh?
December 14th of you.
Great day.
Thank you.
A great job.
Thank you.
Very good.
A lot of downtowns around America just gave up.
You never gave up.
We're not giving up anytime soon.
That's good.
Kelly Cruz executive director of the downtown Racine Corporation here at WRJ.
