2025 Wayland Chamber Christmas Parade
2025 Wayland Chamber Christmas Parade
Before registering to participate, please ensure you remain on the "Nice List" by:
- Reading the below parade information
- Agreeing to the below parade rules
- Register including your email address
Parade Entrants MUST register to participate.
The Chamber reserves the right to deny any entries, including those that may be deemed inappropriate or off-theme.
This year, the parade theme is : Candyland
The parade theme allows those entering the parade to decorate accordingly. It is not required to decorate to the theme, but it is required to be included in theme judging. Cash prizes are awarded for the top three non-profit participants who decorate according to the theme. For Profit businesses are eligible to win the annual Christmas Parade.
Please note that the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce provides Santa and Mrs. Claus for the parade so it is requested that all other parade entries do not use another Santa, or Mrs. Claus, in their displays. This will avoid potential confusion for the children.
Cookies with Santa
Santa visits will take place at the Wayland Fire Department at the conclusion of the parade. Cookies and hot cocoa will be available for children. Bring your camera to capture with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Political Entries
We have had some political entrees ask if they can participate. This is a Christmas parade with the goal of sharing the Christmas spirit. The Christmas Parade is not used as a platform for special interest groups or political parties. It is the express purpose of the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade to promote the celebration of Christmas and the holiday season. If you are a political entree, please note that NO political flags, branding or signage any nature are allowed without prior approval from the chamber by emailing info@waylandchamber.org . You will also need to adhere to the Christmas Parade theme for the year.
Greenridge Realty Annual Hot Cocoa Stand
For those interested in a warm beverage or snack prior to the parade, Greenridge Realty office in Wayland will be set up to serve complimentary cookies, donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate to anyone who would like to enjoy something warm while waiting for the parade.
Warm Clothing and Non-Perishable Food WANTED!
In addition, the Wayland Boy Scout Troop 97 is encouraging parade spectators to bring non-perishable food items or gently used or new coats, gloves, scarfs, boots, and hats. There will be many Boy Scouts walking in the parade picking up these items along the route. Items can be handed to the Scouts as the walk by. All items will go towards the Wayland Area Christmas Project.
Interested in taking part in the parade?
Please register using the Registration Link/Button above
In the "comments" section in the registration, please include if you are registering a float, a vehicle, horses, walkers, farm machinery or anything else you may be registering.
For parade participants, vehicle line up begins at 10:00am and walkers line up at 10:30. Participants are encouraged to play Christmas music via bluetooth speakers from any floats.
2025 Christmas Parade Grand Marshal: Dr. Bruce & Sara Sexton
Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce Announces 2025 Christmas Parade Grand Marshals: Dr. Bruce and Sara Sexton
WAYLAND, MI — The Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Dr. Bruce and Sara Sexton as the Grand Marshals of the 2025 Wayland Christmas Parade.
Dr. Bruce Sexton, DDS, has been a familiar face in the community for decades, serving patients from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo since opening his dental practice in Wayland in 1984. A native of Parchment, Michigan, Dr. Sexton graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry before bringing his small-town values and professional dedication to the Wayland community.
Together, Bruce and Sara devoted 39 years to their locally owned business, Bruce Sexton, DDS. Sara also made her mark in downtown Wayland as the owner of Jolly’s Bar & Grill (now McDuff’s) and as a local realtor, further contributing to the vitality of the community.
Throughout his years in Wayland, Dr. Sexton has been deeply involved in civic life, serving on the Wayland Planning Commission, Wayland City Council, Wayland Lions Club, Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Wayland Union Education Foundation. Sara’s community dedication included involvement in the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wayland Lions Club.
Married since 1989, Bruce and Sara have built a life rooted in family and community. They are the proud parents of four children, grandparents to five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of whom live nearby.
In his free time, Dr. Sexton enjoys reading, traveling, deer hunting and working in his shop. He is also an enthusiastic supporter of the University of Michigan Wolverines. Sara also enjoys traveling and deer hunting as well as music and audio books. Bruce and Sara now enjoy spending winters in Florida. Above all, both Bruce and Sara cherish time spent with their grandchildren and great grandchildren,
“We are so pleased to have Dr. Bruce and Sara Sexton leading our 2025 Christmas Parade as our Grand Marshals,” said Denise Behm, Executive Director of the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce. “They are true pillars in our community, and we are blessed that they both call Wayland home.”
The 2025 Wayland Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday, December 6, beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Wayland VFW and concluding at the Wayland Fire Department, where children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to recognize Dr. Bruce and Sara Sexton for their many years of dedication, service, and community spirit. They truly embody the heart of Wayland, making them the perfect choice to lead this year’s festive celebration.
By registering for the parade, you agree to the following City Parade Rules:
City police parade rules are as follows.
These rules WILL be enforced.
Please do NOT register for the parade until you have read the rules.
- A parade entrant which operates a vehicle or other equipment in such a way that can be dangerous (burn outs, careless/reckless driving) to spectators or other parade participants will be removed from the parade and possibly cited by law enforcement.
- NO "coal rolling" of vehicles
- Four wheelers, all-terrain vehicles, and mini-racers are prohibited except in certain conditions that are approved by the Wayland City Police Department.
- Nothing shall be thrown from any moving vehicle.
- Handing out candy or other objects is permitted by walkers only.
- All dogs in the parade must be kept on leashes and held by someone strong enough to handle them.
- All animals participating in the parade must be kept under control.
- The parade route is one-way. No parade entrant may reverse direction.
- Participants on bikes, scooters, skateboards, skates, etc. must wear a helmet and proper safety equipment.
- No one may step off a vehicle, float, or any other moving piece of equipment during the parade except in an emergency. Float riders must be completely on the float with no legs or other parts of the body hanging over the sides of the float.
2025 Christmas Festivities Sponsor
2025 Christmas Cookies with Santa Sponsor
