On Saturday morning, Downtown Mansfield was the destination for seaonal spirit with the 11th Annual Holiday Parade. The parade kicked the morning off and spectators lined the sidewalks to see the procession, collect candy, and get a glimpse of Santa Claus.
Michelle Ashley of Bucyrus has been coming to the holiday parade for about six years with her children and husband Curtis Ashley. “We have been coming to this parade for about six years. My husband, Curtis, is a teacher at Madison and my daughter Brianna Ashley is a member of the band at Madison and she is a senior this year,” said Ashley. “My favorite part about the parade is the candy,” said Ashley’s son, Drew Ashley. Ashley’s daughter, Jenna Ashley, added that she enjoys seeing Santa Claus in the parade.
Bette Gehrisch and her son Scott Gehrisch of Bellville have been coming to Downtown Mansfield for the parade for about 10 years. “This is one of the best parades. We like to come and watch the kids in the bands and we enjoy seeing the different floats,” said Bette Gehrisch.
“We usually come and eat breakfast at Coney Island Diner before the parade and we try and make it to the parade every year,” added Scott Gehrisch.
Jackie Schaffer of Mansfield was at the parade to watch her daughter participate.
“My daughter, Jennifer Molton, is in the parade. She is a freshman and she is a member of the Mansfield Senior High School Band,” said Schaffer. And Linda Sheldon of Mansfield brought her children to join in the holiday fun. “I brought my kids to watch the parade today. They like to come and get candy,” said Sheldon.
Kimberly Carver is a sophomore at Madison Comprehensive High School and is a member of the band. “This is my second year participating in the holiday parade. Although, marching up the hill is a little rough I do enjoy seeing the look on people’s faces in the crowds as we march by,” said Carver.
Following the parade, the Tiny Tim Shoppe opened to the public for the season. Director of Downtown Mansfield Jenn Kime made note of how the Tiny Tim Shoppe developed. “Tiny Tim Shoppe has been around for about 15 years and it was started by Lyn LaPorte of Main Street Books. She started this as a way for the kids to shop for their loved ones during the holidays,” said Kime.
“We have between 60 to100 volunteers that will help us throughout the season and our sponsors include Richland Bank, Century Link, and STARTEK. Every gift here is under $6 and this is designed for children under the age of 12. Most of the gifts that are available are already wrapped, but we do have our volunteers available to assist the shoppers with wrapping gifts. When the children leave here, all of the gifts they purchased are wrapped and ready for the holidays,” said Kime.
Dakota Steffen, 15, of Lexington is volunteering with the Tiny Tim Shoppe for the first time this year. “Jenn Kime talked to me about volunteering and I wanted to help out,” said Steffen.
The Tiny Tim Shoppe will be open on Saturday’s from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 21. The Tiny Tim Shoppe will also be open on Friday, December 6 from 5:30-8 p.m. and is located on 128 North Main Street.
Further down the street at Main Street Books, Joe James helped promote the shopping season as he stopped in for a book signing. James has published two books, “The Ohio State Reformatory: An Overview” and “Louis Bromfield and His Malabar Farm.”
“This is one of the best parades. We like to come and watch the kids in the bands and we enjoy seeing the different floats,” said Bette Gehrisch of Bellville.
