The annual Christmas Parade is set for this Sunday in downtown Galesburg and locals are anticipating yet another daring Santa rescue.
Galesburg Business Association President Dennis Case tries to explain to WGIL why Santa Claus keeps getting himself into predicaments when flying over town.
“For some reason, there’s something about the magnetic fields or something in Galesburg,” Case says. “Nobody seems to quite know what it is, but Santa always ends up on that rough of First Mid Illinois Bank, so we have to call the fire department to come get him down so
The Santa rescue is expected at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, just before the parade starts at 2 p.m. on Chambers and Main streets. The parade finishes just south of the Knox County Courthouse on Cherry Street.
Case says he expects between 6,000 and 8,000 people to show up, depending on weather.
He adds that chilly temps Sunday calls for could drive attendance down from usual estimates of more than 12,000 people.
As of this morning, about 65 parade participants had entered and Case says he expects more between now and Sunday.
People will see about dozen floats and lots of decorated vehicles. This year’s grand marshal is Naomi Law, who sits on the Knox County Civic Center Authority and is heavily involved in the community.
