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Weekend Brings in Christmas Cheer
Christmas season is officially underway after Sunday's holiday parade and Santa Rooftop Rescue in downtown Galesburg.

First it was Santa appearing from atop the First Mid Illinois Bank building with no indication of a possible way down.

Time seemed to stand still as thousands frantically looked on from Main and Cherry Street. Then-- operation rescue Santa was launched.

"I can't believe the Fire Department, how good they were at getting me down from that roof," Santa Claus told WGIL's Kyle Schassburger, who asked how Mr. Claus got up there to begin with.

"We were flying the reindeer in, you know. And, I told Dasher to take a left. He said, 'left?'
I said 'Right.' Cupid thought I said [turn] right, so, oh, it was a mess."

Mayor Sal Garza was one of three Grand Marshals for the parade down Main Street that followed the rescue.

He tells WGIL Sunday was a way to acknowledge the city's history.

"The 175th founding of Galesburg, and the significant role that each one of these entities that are being represented today, just the sense of being part of something much bigger than yourself, and the organization that you represent," Garza said.

Garza says the rooftop rescue and parade was a celebration that delivers a mind set for people to realize others' difficulties and to give thanks.








(WGIL Photos and News Story by Kyle Schassburger)
11 21 11 by Newsroom
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