It's spelled with one "L" and it's definitely another example of how strange Minnesotans can be . . . or it's another example of how resourceful we are. The Holidazzle parade is young as far as traditions go. It has not been around as long as the Dayton's to become Marshall Fields' and now Macy's 8th floor auditorium has been, nor as long as the St. Paul Winter Carnival, but it's fun and it's resourceful and it's accomplishing its purpose.
TCF wanted to attract business to the downtown Minneapolis area, especially during the holiday season when shoppers tend to go for convenience and warmth (did I mention malls?), so they started the Holidazzle parade. The parade is full of lights and fantasy creatures manned by local people who sometimes end up on a waiting list to get to volunteer. You almost have to know someone to get in. Thousands of families flock to the Nicollet Mall to stand in frigid weather for a chance to see the glitter and glitz of the winter floats passing by. Lighted balloons, mice chasing cheese, bands trying to keep their instruments warm, hot chocolate, and lots of mittens and hats add to the fun. Only when the temperatures dip very low has the parade been cancelled. Merchants report that more customers are present on the nights of the parade.
If you haven't been yet, you might want to check it out this year while we're experiencing temperate, almost balmy for Minnesota, wealther. The parade starts at 6:30 PM, Wednesdays through Sunday, starting at Thanksgiving and going through Christmas. Bundle up, bring a donation for the food shelf, stop at Macy's 8th floor auditorium and enjoy the fantastic Christmas lights of the parade. There is definitely something a little "tesched" about Minnesotans to think that winter parades are fun!
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