By Tasha Weaver, Executive Director of the Downtown Tipp City Partnership
With 25 entries and just a few no-shows, I’d say our first year was a success. Those who participated really went all out, and their effort showed. The creativity and excitement of the floats created an unforgettable experience for everyone. We couldn’t have done it without them, and we are so thankful for their participation. Of course, there’s always a learning curve. This year taught us a few things, and we’re already excited to come back even better next year. If you have suggestions or ideas, we’d love to hear them! Feel free to email us at info@downtowntippcity.org—we take every suggestion seriously because this is a community event, after all. A free, family-friendly event like this is a gift we’re proud to share with Tipp City, and it was heartwarming to see the turnout. The show itself was such fun. Chris Rowlands had the kids singing along and even encouraged parents to join in. I found myself singing too, and I’m pretty sure Buddy the Elf would have been proud of the Christmas cheer!
We want to thank our community partners for making this event possible. The city provided essential support in ensuring safety and participation. Monroe Federal’s Eagle handed out cookies, Rotary provided free hot dogs, Kiwanis shared snacks and water, and Zack Jacobs Insurance offered free bottles of water. Downtown Tipp City Partnership (DTCP) joined in with free kettle corn for everyone to enjoy. A special thanks goes to the DJ (Donnie Chaney) from Inferno Productions, who kept the energy high throughout the evening. Events like this truly take a team effort, and we’re grateful for everyone who contributed.
Our Grand Marshal, Luke Zerkle, was a fantastic choice. Not only did he lead the parade, but he also selected the Grand Marshal Award winner: the Global United Methodist Church’s Polar Express float, complete with costumes and intricate props. They truly embodied the holiday spirit!
And then there was Mr. G. Wow. I have never been more impressed with someone’s ability to wrangle a group of kids like he did. He kept the energy high and the crowd engaged throughout the night. Even more incredible, Mr. G gave up Ohio State tickets to be our special guest MC because he was so honored to be part of this event. Talk about dedication! He even chose not to be in the parade so he could see all his students participating. With staff like Mr. G and Mr. Zerkle, it’s no wonder Tipp City has such amazing schools.
This event was all about bringing the community together and creating family memories. Seeing kids laughing, families smiling, and friends enjoying downtown was everything we could have hoped for—and more. We can’t wait to bring the Christmas Parade back next year, bigger and better. Thank you, Tipp City, for making this first year so special!