The Cub Scouts show off their festive float at the 2014 Clearwater Winter Parade

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade kicks off the holiday parade season on a national scale in New York City. And we had five Memorial High School Old Abes perform in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band this year. While many people might have at least one holiday parade in their community, here in the Chippewa Valley, we have up to three, depending on where you live and how far you want to travel.

WinterDaze Parade • Menomonie • Thursday, Dec. 10 • 4-8 p.m. • Parade at 6:30pm • www.mainstreetmenomonie.org

The 12th annual WinterDaze event will start at the UW-Stout Clock Tower Plaza at 4pm, where you can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, see real reindeer, ride a horse-drawn wagon, and sip Swiss Miss hot chocolate donated by local Menomonie employer ConAgra. The parade will kick off at 6:30pm and typically lasts about 45 minutes. This year’s theme is “Silver Bells,” in honor of the 25th anniversary of Main Street of Menomonie, which is the overall sponsor of the event. Right after the parade, be sure to catch the fantastic fireworks display over Lake Menomin. This year’s sponsors of WinterDaze are Cedar Corporation, UW-Stout, Dunn Energy Cooperative, Xcel Energy, and WESTconsin Credit Union.

Clearwater Winter Parade • Eau Claire • Saturday, Dec. 19 • 5-8pm • Parade at 5pm •

The fourth annual Clearwater Winter Parade will start on Grand Avenue, wind its way through First Avenue, and end at the intersection of First Avenue and Water Street. The parade will start at 5 p.m. After the parade, head to the Hobbs Ice Center (915 Menomonie St.) for indoor and outdoor activities, fire pits, snow sculpting (if there’s snow), a s’mores station and more from 6 to 8pm. The overall sponsor of the event is the City of Eau Claire. Media sponsors include WEAU-TV along with Volume One.

Bridge to Wonderland Parade • Chippewa Falls •

Put this parade on your calendar for next year as this one’s will have already happened by Volume One’s press date. This year’s theme was “Dreams of Christmas,” and it had about 50 floats, walking units, and horse-drawn wagons. Even the horse-drawn wagon rides which are offered every weekend until the week of Christmas are already sold out.