Nov 19, 2006 11:15 pm US/Central
Finding Minnesota: The Dazzle Of Holidazzle
by Jeanette Trompeter
Minneapolis (WCCO) ―
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2006 TCF Holidazzle Parade Image
WCCO
This Thursday, many of us will celebrate the American tradition of Thanksgiving.
Then the day after, the Minnesota Tradition, "Holidazzle" steps off along Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall.
It's not one of Minnesota's most long-standing traditions, but it has become a holiday must for thousands of Minnesotans.
For 22 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, downtown Minneapolis comes to life with floats, fairy tale themes and costumed characters illuminated from head to toe.
"It runs like clockwork: From 6:30 to 7:05 p.m., it's one of the only parades that stops at stoplights," said Sam Grabarski, CEO and president of the Minneapolis Downtown Council.
The evening ritual in the heart of the city was born out of desperation.
Fourteen years ago, downtown merchants were worried -- seriously worried about a huge mall being built out in Bloomington and its possible affect on their livelihoods.
"Downtown, we felt we had to have something that was truly dazzling -- that would allow people to see us as an alternative. Otherwise it was going to be dead," Grabarski said.
They dreamed up something big to compete; something so unusual and extravagant that everyone would want to see it.
They took their ideas to Disney World to make it happen. Disney said it would take two years and $3 million to get it done. So, the organizers decided to do it themselves.
And they did.
In six months, with help from Dayton's, Holidazzle went from plans on paper to the extravaganza planners imagined.
But it didn't come without glitches.
A secret dry run late one night along Nicollet Mall was a disaster. They did another dress rehearsal a few nights later that went a little better. By opening night, they managed to pull it off.
"Well that was the spirit," remembered Grabarski. "And the Mall of America was about to open, and we have to have a response and it has to be spectacular. And it proved to be spectacular."
WCCO-TV became involved after one look at the amazing displays passing by its downtown studios. The television station originated a live broadcast in 1993 and has been doing so ever since.
"The minute we saw it, we thought, 'Wow, what a great community event and we definitely want to be part of it'," recalled Lori Garelick, broadcasting coordinator of WCCO-TV's parade coverage.
It's an amazing orchestration: 22 nights, a dozen floats and 250 characters. From the Tin Man, to Captain Hook to the spinning doodlebugs -- they are all volunteers.
This glowing flurry of holiday cheer has proven to be the draw the early planners hoped for. Minnesotans know the fun in bundling up and heading downtown for this
outdoor holiday tradition.
"People who come here say 'I've never seen anything like that before'," said Garelick. "That's because there isn't anything like it in the country."
WCCO-TV's 14th live broadcast of the 2006 Holidazzle Parade airs Friday evening at 6 p.m. on channel 4.
For more information, go to
www.tcfholidazzle.com.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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