CLINTONVILLE, WI – What began as a simple idea to lift spirits during the COVID lockdown has now grown into one of Clintonville’s most beloved holiday traditions. The FWD Seagrave Museum will once again host its annual Santa Cruise, a rolling holiday display that brings Christmas magic directly to neighborhoods across the city.
Terry Lorge from the museum says the event started when volunteers were looking for a way to safely spread joy at a time when families were stuck at home. “When everybody had to stay home because of COVID, people were pretty bummed out,” Lorge recalled. “One of our volunteers said, why don’t we hang some Christmas lights on a fire truck, put on some music, and drive around Clintonville to cheer people up?”
This year, the Santa Cruise is taking on even greater importance after severe weather forced the cancellation of the Clintonville Christmas Parade. Many float builders feared their hard work would go unseen, until Lorge and his team stepped in. “We made an offer to anybody that had planned on bringing a float in the parade,” Lorge said. “If they still had them, they put a lot of work into building those floats. They could follow us.”
The 6th annual Santa Cruise will feature Santa riding atop a decorated fire truck, music, lights, and now a caravan of local floats that will finally get their moment in the spotlight.
Residents hoping to catch Santa along the route can find the full map posted on the Clintonville Chamber of Commerce website. The FWD Seagrave Museum encourages families to bundle up, step outside, and enjoy the festive display as it rolls through town, continuing a tradition born from community spirit, resilience, and the simple desire to spread holiday cheer.
The event takes place Tuesday December 23rd from 4:30-8pm.
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