The Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that Dr. Bruce and Sara Sexton have been chosen grand marshals of the 2025 Wayland Christmas Parade.
This year’s local Christmas Parade will step off at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Wayland VFW and will conclude at the Wayland Fire Department, where children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Dr. Bruce Sexton, DDS, has been a familiar face in the community for decades, serving patients from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo since opening his dental practice in Wayland in 1984. A native of Parchment, Dr. Sexton graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry before bringing his small-town values and professional dedication to the Wayland community.
Bruce and Sara together devoted 39 years to their locally owned business, Bruce Sexton, DDS. Sara also made her mark in downtown Wayland as owner of Jolly’s Bar & Grill (now McDuff’s), succeeding the late Mel Bartell, and as a local realtor.
Dr. Sexton has been deeply involved in civic life, serving on the Wayland Planning Commission, Wayland City Council, Wayland Lions Club, Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Wayland Union Education Foundation. Now retired, he turned over his practice to Dr. Paul Ingles in 2023.
Sara’s community dedication included involvement in the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wayland Lions Club.
Married since 1989, Bruce and Sara have built a life rooted in family and community. They are parents of four children, grandparents to five grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of whom live nearby.
Dr. Sexton enjoys reading, traveling, deer hunting and working in his shop in his free time. He is also an enthusiastic supporter of the University of Michigan Wolverines.
Sara also enjoys traveling and deer hunting as well as music and audio books. Bruce and Sara now enjoy spending winters in Florida, but both cherish time they spend with their grandchildren and great grandchildren,
“We are so pleased to have Dr. Bruce and Sara Sexton leading our 2025 Christmas Parade as our grand marshals,” said Denise Behm, executive director of the Wayland Area Chamber of Commerce.“They are true pillars in our community, and we are blessed that they both call Wayland home.”
