As a kick-off to the Holiday season, the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Light Your Way Christmas Parade presented by Thompson’s Honda and Toyota of Terre Haute, brought a record crowd of approximately 16,000 people that lined Wabash Avenue. With 80 entries, more than 1,200 people participated in the parade by walking, handing out candy or being on floats.
The parade served as the conclusion of the annual Miracle on 7th Street event held this year in the Hulman Center. “These two events are always a great way to bring in the holidays. We are so thankful and blessed to have had such an incredible turnout for the parade for both entries and spectators,” said BJ Riley ’16, ’23MLD, ’24MBA, associate vice president for strategic marketing and community relations.
In addition to the crowds, several safety partnerships were formed for the parade. The Terre Haute Police Department, Terre Haute Fire Department, Vigo County Emergency Management Agency, and Indiana State University Police Department partnered with SMWC Public Safety and SMWC Criminology students and professors to ensure a safe event for all to enjoy. Overall, there were more than 150 safety volunteers for the parade.
Judges for the parade were Scott Jaeger from presenting sponsor Thompson’s Honda and Toyota of Terre Haute, Kristin Craig ’03, ’16MLD, president/CEO of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and Susan Turner ’14MLD, executive director of the Terre Haute Children’s Museum. Each judge scored every parade entry. Master of Ceremonies was Terre Haute’s own J.T. Jefferies. The winners of the parade were:
- First place: Vigo County School Corporation Transportation Department
- Second place, most creative: Bricks and Gables Inc.
- Third place, most lights: Terre Haute North Marching Band
Plans are already underway for the 2025 Light Your Way Christmas Parade.
