Holiday parade attracts festive crowd

GREEN BAY - Holiday music filled the crisp, cool air as the 29th annual Green Bay Holiday parade made its way through downtown streets.

Thousands of kids of all ages lined the parade route.

"Between this and Thanksgiving, there's no better time to start Christmas," said Michael Grant of Green Bay. Grant was with his baby daughter Madelynn, who is experiencing her very first Christmas parade.

This year's parade theme celebrated the "Twelve Days of Christmas" highlighting a little bit of everything including "ladies dancing" from Barb's Center for Dance and the UWGB Dance Team members.

• Photos: 2012 Green Bay Holiday Parade

For some the big highlight at the parade is collecting those sugary treats. Kids collected bags of candy. For others the excitement centers around the arrival of Santa Claus.

We asked pre-schooler Aaron Lannoye of Green Bay if he'd been good this year.

"Um, kind of sassy. But I'm going to try and get back to good," said Lannoye.

Other than a brief sighting of the Grinch, the holiday spirit was alive and well.

Even those of us at FOX 11 News took part to wish everyone a happy holiday season, including Tom Milbourn, Michelle Melby, Mark Leland, Laura Smith and Drew Smith.

The FOX 11 float was made extra special thanks to members of the Ashwaubenon High School choir who sang Christmas carols.