Since 2015, Vermillion has been celebrating Christmas with a special tradition.
The city’s Standstill Parade of Lights takes on its ninth year this winter, inverting the traditional parade style to put on the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company’s best attended event of the year.
“When the parade begins, the streetlights go out and downtown Vermillion is illuminated entirely by lights from all of our floats,” said Miles Amende, communications and tourism manager for the Chamber.
Rather than having the floats progress down the street, they stand still in the middle of it, allowing parade-goers to explore at their own pace.
“It helps a lot with keeping warm at the event, because instead of sitting on a street corner watching floats pass by while freezing, you get to move around,” notes Amende.
Any business, non-profit, or community group in and around Vermillion can enter the parade.
For example, churches, city departments, and even radio stations doing live broadcasts have all been a part of the parade in years past.
In addition to the floats, the parade boasts live entertainment for attendees.
“We have music up and down the street, and a professional sound system installed for the evening, so there’s music everywhere,” shares Amende.
Carolers, a brass quartet from University of South Dakota, and a performance from the Vermillion Area Dance Organization also take place at the Ratingen Platz, a plaza in the middle of the town.
Food and drinks are available at different floats. Amende mentions one year a float had a s’mores-making station, and there is always free cocoa and cookies at the VCDC tent.
“Come to the event, enjoy it, and just see what Vermillion is like in the holiday season.”
– Miles Amende
After the parade-goers have had some time to peruse the floats, the grand finale begins.
Santa, atop a firetruck, comes down Main Street and leads a procession to the Ratingen Platz. Once he reaches the plaza, he gets off the truck and a countdown begins.
At zero, Santa flips the switch to light the Vermillion Christmas tree. Amende says his favorite part every year is this finale.
“You see the lights of the fire truck start flashing, and the crowd parts down the middle,” shares Amende. “Santa and his helpers are on the back of the truck waving, and all of the kids watching from the sidewalk are cheering. It’s just so much fun.”
“We wanted a parade that was unique to Vermillion, so we came up with the standstill style.”
– miles amende
Virtual Cheer!
The parade is live streamed! To catch the event, tune in on Facebook at /LiveVermillion.
After the finale, the party continues at the Vermillion Public Library.
Families can go take pictures with Santa, enjoy cookies and cocoa, and do a holiday craft.
“It’s a lot of fun, and it’s a way to get out of the cold and warm up a little bit before everybody goes home,” said Amende.
Though the event is only two hours, a plethora of preparation is necessary. The Chamber handles the street closure, organizing the floats, appointing emcees, finding someone to be Santa, and getting the fire department involved.
“It is a lot of work, and is always worth it,” said Amende.
Other holiday events in Vermillion include the Vermillion Holiday Stroll, which will take place on Thursday, December 12.
The stroll is an event to promote local businesses, which stay open longer to let people get some of their holiday shopping done.
“It’s always very cozy during the holiday season in Vermillion.”
-Miles Amende
Save the Date
The Standstill Parade of Lights will be on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m.
Live music and carolers accompany the stroll, provided by the University of South Dakota.
Another event is the Holiday Pop-Up Shop, which is run by the Davida Art Company. Hosted in the First Dakota Coyote Gallery in the Coyote Twin Theater, the shop features goods, and gifts for last minute shopping.
The shop opens after Thanksgiving until Christmas, and carries products like crafts, mugs, trinkets, art, soap, and more.
“We love to direct people there for their holiday shopping because all of the products are from local makers,” shares Amende.
As far as the holiday season goes, Amende says he looks forward to it.
“There are lots and lots of old houses in Vermillion, and people love to decorate,” he continued, “and it all lends itself to this really cozy, quaint vibe that’s really enjoyable.”
