Updated with winners: Perham's Parade of Lights kicks off the holiday season

Boy Scouts.JPG — Members of Boy Scout Troop 321 smiled their way down Main Street in a float clad with snowflake lights. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

By Rebecca Mitchell

November 26, 2021 at 7:33 PM

“Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus” right down Perham's Main Street...

Santa, Mrs. Claus and their elves traveled down the holiday-lit streets of downtown for the city's annual Parade of Lights on Nov. 26.

With temperatures hovering around 30 degrees, families flocked the streets bundled in blankets and drinking hot chocolate served by local Girl Scouts. The start of the parade carried children’s squeals of delight, Christmas music and decorations, and the jolly "Ho Ho Ho" of Santa.

The community made the quick transition from Happy Thanksgiving to Merry Christmas, with 25 parade entries cheerfully glowing bright. Almost everyone in the crowd rang in the holiday season with a smile — and a bag of potato chips (locally made at Shearer's Foods).

Of the parade entries, there were three winners chosen for their light displays, holiday spirit and creativity:

Santa’s Choice Award (first place): Goose Group for its Santa float encouraging local shopping.
Mrs. Claus Choice Award (second place): WMS Inc. for its snowglobe-themed scene.
Elves Choice Award (third place): Tru North for its Santa and elves float filled with presents.

Next on the community's list of holiday events is a citywide tour of lights. Perham residents can participate in lighting up the town with their own holiday light displays and decorations, included on a tour of lights map. Add a home to the map by filling out a form online or on the Perham Events Facebook page. Homes must be in Perham city limits and have lights turned on from 5-7 p.m. on Thursdays from Dec. 9-23. The Perham Trolley will tour people through the mapped light displays during those times.

Goose Group.JPG — With holiday shopping in full swing, the Goose Group, of Goose Gang Toys, Nest and Wild Goose in Perham, encouraged people to shop local on Nov. 26, 2021. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

Shearer's Foods.JPG — As one of the most popular floats, Shearer's Foods displayed a potato chip decorated Christmas tree and handed out bags of chips during the Parade of Lights on Nov. 26, 2021. Their float encouraged people to not be chippy but be kind. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

City of Perham.JPG — The city of Perham again showcased scenes from around Perham and wished all a Happy Holidays with their Parade of Lights entry on Nov. 26, 2021. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

Otter Trail Riders Snowmobile Club.JPG — Members from the Otter Trail Riders Snowmobile Club snow off their snowmobiles in their lighted display on Nov. 26, 2021. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

R.D. Offutt Farms.JPG — R.D. Offutt Farms lit up Main Street with a gleaming tractor on Nov. 26, 2021. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

Santa, Mrs. Claus.JPG — Santa checks his list twice while riding down Main Street on Nov. 26, 2021. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

Santa, Mrs. Claus Globe.JPG — Mr. and Mrs. Claus shared a Christmas scene while encapsulated in a glass container. WMS, Incorporated shared the snowglobe-themed float on Nov. 26, 2021. (Rebecca Mitchell / Perham Focus)

By Rebecca Mitchell

Rebecca Mitchell started as a Digital Content Producer for the Post Bulletin in August 2022. She specializes in feature reporting as well as enhancing online articles. Readers can reach Rebecca at 507-285-7681 or rmitchell@postbulletin.com.

Updated with winners: Perham's Parade of Lights kicks off the holiday season

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas came the ring from the 2021 Parade of Lights.