The Waukesha Christmas Parade returned to downtown Waukesha Sunday one year after a driver plowed through the same event killing six people and injuring dozens more. The theme of this year's parade was Peace on Earth. There were 80 groups marching in the parade, many of which are the same that were struck by tragedy including the Waukesha Blazers baseball club, the Dancing Grannies and Catholic Communities of Waukesha. Several floats were decorated by Waukesha South High School band members and other students in honor of last year's victims. Terry Rutledge has been a part of the Waukesha community for 45 years and was in the parade last year with the Salvation Army.On Sunday, he drove a decorated plow. Emotions were running high not only for the people who performed in the parade but also for those who attended. "Last year after the parade we all came together, and it's just nice that even a year later, we're all still together, so it kind of solidified the whole community and kept us solidified for the whole year. The spirit never went away for Waukesha Strong," said Andrea Dorantes, who attended last year's parade.Santa and Mrs. Claus were the last attraction in the parade. The parade started at 4 p.m. along a new route and ended just before 5:30 p.m. It began at Cutler Park, near Maple and Wisconsin avenues. It then went east along Main Street, south on Barstow Street and ended back at Cutler Park. For some, it was an opportunity to heal. "It's a very full circle moment being back. Immediately after the events of last year I started therapy so that way I could start healing right away so this is definitely the last step in my healing process," said Joe Eisenman, who attended last year's parade. For others, like Eisenman's father, it was an opportunity to offer support. "I just went through everything that he went through last year. We weren't here but we went through it when he was here," said Chris Eisenman.The parade offered an opportunity for Waukesha to redefine its Christmas parade."Last year brought a lot of terror and a lot of confusion, but this year I honestly see nothing but happiness. That's definitely something that's different, but it's also definitely something that's amazing," said Joe Eisenman.Parade attendees created good memories to overshadow the bad ones. "We were here right in front of the Dancing Granny troop. So we saw a lot that day so it'll be good to see them back in the parade," said Dorantes.Healing Hearts of Wisconsin was on hand at Sunday's parade. The organization provides support for grieving children and their families. They had a tent sent up at Cutler Park. The group also had personnel along the parade route to provide support to those struggling.
The Waukesha Christmas Parade returned to downtown Waukesha Sunday one year after a driver plowed through the same event killing six people and injuring dozens more.
The theme of this year's parade was Peace on Earth.
There were 80 groups marching in the parade, many of which are the same that were struck by tragedy including the Waukesha Blazers baseball club, the Dancing Grannies and Catholic Communities of Waukesha.
Several floats were decorated by Waukesha South High School band members and other students in honor of last year's victims.
Terry Rutledge has been a part of the Waukesha community for 45 years and was in the parade last year with the Salvation Army.
On Sunday, he drove a decorated plow.
Emotions were running high not only for the people who performed in the parade but also for those who attended.
"Last year after the parade we all came together, and it's just nice that even a year later, we're all still together, so it kind of solidified the whole community and kept us solidified for the whole year. The spirit never went away for Waukesha Strong," said Andrea Dorantes, who attended last year's parade.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were the last attraction in the parade.
The parade started at 4 p.m. along a new route and ended just before 5:30 p.m.
It began at Cutler Park, near Maple and Wisconsin avenues. It then went east along Main Street, south on Barstow Street and ended back at Cutler Park.
For some, it was an opportunity to heal.
"It's a very full circle moment being back. Immediately after the events of last year I started therapy so that way I could start healing right away so this is definitely the last step in my healing process," said Joe Eisenman, who attended last year's parade.
For others, like Eisenman's father, it was an opportunity to offer support.
"I just went through everything that he went through last year. We weren't here but we went through it when he was here," said Chris Eisenman.
The parade offered an opportunity for Waukesha to redefine its Christmas parade.
"Last year brought a lot of terror and a lot of confusion, but this year I honestly see nothing but happiness. That's definitely something that's different, but it's also definitely something that's amazing," said Joe Eisenman.
Parade attendees created good memories to overshadow the bad ones.
"We were here right in front of the Dancing Granny troop. So we saw a lot that day so it'll be good to see them back in the parade," said Dorantes.
Healing Hearts of Wisconsin was on hand at Sunday's parade. The organization provides support for grieving children and their families. They had a tent sent up at Cutler Park. The group also had personnel along the parade route to provide support to those struggling.
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