Paul and Lucy Kaczanowski have been selected grand marshals to lead the 46th annual Wayland Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
This year’s parade theme will be “Gingerbread Lane.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Kaczanowski are longtime residents of Wayland and true pillars of our community,” said Wayland Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Denise Behm. “The Kaczanowskis are best known for their humble servanthood attitude and willingness to serve their community.
The Kaczanowskis were wed 55 years ago and they have been residents of the City of Wayland since 1972. The Kaczanowskis have six children, 12 grandchildren and soon to be three great-grandchildren.
Paul was the co-owner of Wayland Chrysler for 35 years and was very involved in the community, having served on the Board of Directors for the Wayland Union Education Foundation, City of Wayland Planning Commission and the Council for the City of Wayland. He currently serves on the Board of Review.
Lucy retired from Archer Hampel Kubiak Funeral Home after 17 years of service. She also served on the Board of Education for St. Therese School and helped start the Home and School Association. She also spent time at the Laurels of Sandy Creek as a volunteer and now volunteers at Allegan Pine Trails Elementary School.
Community members are invited to attend the annual pancake breakfast at the Wayland Fire Department, 160 W Superior St., from 7 to 10 a.m. For a nominal charge, guests can enjoy a hot all-you-can-eat buffet consisting of pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage, juice, milk, and coffee. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the Wayland Fire Department.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at the Wayland Fire Department after the parade for pictures (please feel free to bring your own camera). Cookies and hot cocoa will be available for the children.
The parade theme, “Gingerbread Lane” allows those entering to decorate accordingly. It is not required to decorate to the theme, but it is required to be included in theme judging. Cash prizes are awarded for the top three participants who decorate according to the theme (“For profit” businesses are not eligible).
Behm has noted that the Chamber of Commerce provides Santa Claus for the parade, so it is requested that all other parade entries not use another Santa in their displays. This will avoid potential confusion for the children.
The parade will begin at the Wayland VFW on South Main Street and conclude at the Wayland Fire Department. For those registered to be in the parade, vehicle lineup begins at 10 a.m and walkers are to be in line by 10:30.
