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‘We’re not going to let what happened define who we are’: Waukesha Christmas Parade returns

Waukesha residents say this year's parade is a celebration of community strength

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People hug in the crowd of parade attendees.
Waukesha County Deputy District Attorney Lesli Boese and District Attorney Sue Opper give hugs as the Dancing Grannies pass by in the Christmas parade Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

While familiar scenes of dancing grannies and marching bands returned Sunday to downtown Waukesha, they were accompanied by a phrase that has come to define the community over the last year: “Waukesha Strong.”

In a show of resilience, Waukesha residents gathered for the community’s annual Christmas Parade — just over one year after a driver intentionally drove through the parade in an SUV, killing six and injuring many more.

Hundreds of community members lined the streets of downtown Waukesha, standing shoulder to shoulder in freezing temperatures, for the return of the longstanding holiday tradition.

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Waukesha resident Susan LeCourt saw last year’s tragedy first-hand, but that didn’t stop her from attending this year’s parade to stand in solidarity with those affected.

“I was here last year and I saw what happened last year,” she said. “And I just wanted to support all of the people who got injured.”

Four children with excited expressions stand together in water gear.
Ellie Abt, Lily Jonas, Frankie Abt, and James Harker watch as the Waukesha Christmas parade passes by Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Krystal Abt takes her family to the parade every year. “We were here last year. We’re here for healing,” she said. Angela Major/WPR
A group of people help to push a vintage style truck in the parade.
Participants help to move a truck to the side of the parade after it stalled out Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

Similarly, for the last 22 years, Waukesha resident Betty Koenig and her husband have attended each year’s Christmas Parade — every year except last year.

Despite being “devastated” by last year’s tragedy, Koenig marked her calendar when the date was announced for this year’s event “as a show of solidarity.”

She believes attendance at the parade illustrates the strength of the Waukesha community.

“We want to continue our traditions,” Koenig said. “We’re not going to let what happened last year scare us away, cause us to be fearful and not want to continue a tradition that we’ve had for so many years. It’s just strengthened our sense of community.”

Women in blue coats perform with white poms. They dance together and smile at the crowd.
Members of the Dancing Grannies perform for parade attendees Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A parade attendee claps and cheers as the parade passes by.
Janet Baer, an English teacher at Waukesha South High School, cheers as the school’s marching band performs in the Christmas parade Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

This year, the city used vehicle barriers to block off roads along the parade route and closed streets surrounding the parade route ahead of the event, and officials took extra precautions to ensure the safety of attendees. Additionally, grief counseling resources were also made available to community members during the parade.

In October, the driver of the SUV, Darrell Brooks, was found guilty of six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and 70 other criminal charges related to last year’s tragedy. Brooks was sentenced last month to six consecutive lifetimes in prison.

At a press conference after the sentencing, Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said he felt a “sense of relief” to close that chapter of the city’s history.

“What’s on my mind is continuing to heal,” he said. “The community experienced major, major trauma, and we need to continue working on healing.”

Sunday’s parade was part of that healing process, as it saw community members from all walks of life attend.

Women in white winter clothing perform with silver poms.
The Wisconsin Diamond Dancers perform at the Waukesha Christmas parade Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
A crowd of parade attendees gather together wearing winter gear.
Attendees watch the Christmas parade pass by Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR

“All these people (at the parade) with us today are showing that good will take over evil,” said Mike LeCourt, a Waukesha resident.

Many parade-goers had similar sentiments. They viewed attending the event as an opportunity to pay respects to the victims of last year’s tragedy, as well as an opportunity to show the community’s strength.

Waukesha resident Dameon La Faive said the parade brings everything “full circle” after last year’s tragedy. La Faive said he attended to pay respects to the victims as well as to show his love for Waukesha.

“We’re strong and united,” he said. “Even though it’s a tragic thing from last year, we’re not going to let what happened define who we are as people.”

Debbie Dunk, a school secretary from Waukesha, attended last year’s parade. She said she chose to return this year because “we have to live in the light.”

“We have to move on and start healing,” she said. “We didn’t get to finish the parade last year. This year we can.”

Band members in blue and white uniforms play instruments as the sun sets.
Members of the Waukesha West High School perform at the Waukesha Christmas parade Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
Sanda Claus and Mrs. Claus wave and smile at the crowd from a parade float.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus wave at attendees at the end of the Waukesha Christmas parade Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Waukesha, Wis. Angela Major/WPR
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