Tea’s first annual Parade of Lights to kick off holiday season this Saturday

Christmas cheer will be strung through the streets of Tea this Saturday, November 30 as the first annual Parade of Lights is scheduled to light up Main Street beginning at 6:15 p.m.

For the first time, the Tea Chamber for Development is bringing Christmas cheer to Tea through a parade of lights. 

“The parade of lights was an idea from local community members that enjoy the holiday season. Many people enjoy the Sioux Falls Parade of Lights but find it hard to navigate downtown and overwhelming. We wanted to bring the same joy on a smaller scale to Tea where families can easily get to the Parade of Lights in Tea,” said Andrea Kuipers, President of the Tea Chamber for Development. 

Getting into the Christmas spirit early in the season was top priority to Kuipers. 

“We chose to do November 30 as we wanted to kick off the holiday season right after Thanksgiving and we are hoping to have families gathering for the weekend to attend together,” she said. 

Kuipers gives special mention to Chad Meyer and Shelbi Backhaus for getting this event started. 

“This is going to be a fun family and community centered event to gather people to kick off the holiday season with a bright parade showcasing local businesses and organizations in the Christmas spirit,” she said.

With something for every age, the Parade of Lights is sure to be a treat for the whole family. 

“Anyone attending can expect to see some unique, bright, and festive floats, we have a wide variety of entries to entertain, wow, and please all ages,” Kuipers said. 

The floats will make their way down Brian Street by the High School at 6:15 p.m. and travel East to Main Street before turning South across 1st Street and ending at the Sports Complex (see map at right).  

“The parade will end at the Tea Sports Complex near the Tea Legion and as the parade ends, the Tea American Legion will be hosting a chili cook off and Santa will be present to light up tree in front of the Legion in downtown Tea and the Tea High School Choir will also be at the Legion singing Christmas Carols for people to enjoy and join in on,” Kuipers said. 

Those in attendance will also get to see the first sighting of Santa for the Christmas season as Santa is expected to ride in a fire truck during the parade and be present for the tree lighting.