Osakis Holiday Light Parade brings in Christmas cheer

Floats paraded and attendees gathered candy during the Osakis Holiday Light Parade on Friday, Dec. 2, despite single-digit temperatures, high winds and blowing snow.

By Thalen Zimmerman

December 05, 2022 12:42 PM

OSAKIS — The city of Osakis jumped right in with both feet to kick off the holiday season on Friday, Dec. 2.

Someone in a Grinch costume drives with the Holiday Light Parade in Osakis.

The day was jam-packed with holiday events. Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance downtown, sleigh rides dashed through the snow-covered roads, and partake in sleigh rides and Christmas-themed crafts and activities entertained the children.

Holiday Light Parade floats make their way down Central Avenue in Osakis as a man in a Santa beard passes out candy to attendees.

In the evening, downtown was lit up by over 20 different parade floats from local businesses adorned with lights and props for the "Holiday Light Parade." The parade featured multiple Grinches and Santas, creatively lit vehicles and a man riding a makeshift Rudolph made from a barrel and suspended by a John Deere tractor.

A man rides a suspended "Rudolph" made out of a recycled barrel during the holiday parade.

Even with winds in the 20 to 30-mile-per-hour zone, blowing snow and temps in the single-digits, many attended the Christmas celebration in Osakis.

A vintage car with holiday lights and a sign that reads "Merry Christmas" follows a decorated cement truck during the Osakis Holiday Light Parade.

The night was capped off with a firework show launched from the Osakis Public Boat Landing.

A pontoon with a sign that reads "Santa's workshop" pulls a man atop a tube fixed with wheels.

Through blowing snow, parade attendees look on as floats adorned with holiday lights drive past.

By Thalen Zimmerman

Thalen Zimmerman of Alexandria joined the Echo Press team as a full-time reporter in Aug. 2021, after graduating from Bemidji State University with a bachelor of science degree in mass communication in May of 2021.

Osakis Holiday Light Parade brings in Christmas cheer

Despite the skin-stinging wind, blowing snow, and frigid temperature, Osakis' Central Ave was filled with spectators for its 2022 Holiday Light Parade on Friday, Dec. 2.