Rochester Regional Chamber Foundation hosts 70th Annual Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade & Grand Marshal Gala

This event has been CANCELED due to recent community events!

Rochester, MI - Dec 1, 2021 – The 70th Annual Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade will march down Main Street in Rochester on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at 2:00 pm. We are thankful for our presenting partners: Chief Financial Credit Union & Rochester University. Their commitment will help ensure the parade continues in style and excellence!

Parade Theme

Gathering everyone in our community to celebrate our 70th year is quite significant. We love how our community came together in amazing ways during the pandemic to help those in need, give encouragement to our local heroes, and find creative ways to improve life and connection even just a little. Our theme this year reflects the message that our community cares about one another and celebrates how together, we can do the most good. We have an attitude of gratitude for all that we have been through. Therefore, “Community Christmas” will be this year’s theme. This year is a historic year, and we invite everyone to participate in some way as we honor our past and look forward to a brighter future together.

As the largest Christmas Parade in Michigan, over 100 parade entries represent a collaborative effort among families, businesses, non-profit and civic organizations, schools, colleges, universities, and special interest groups. The parade, a beloved, long-standing tradition attracts thousands of people to the greater Rochester area.

Limited edition parade buttons ($2 each) can be purchased from now until supplies run out at the Chamber office at 71 Walnut, Suite 110, in Rochester.

Christmas Sweater-themed Dance Company struts their stuff down Main Street

Grand Marshal Gala

The Rochester Regional Chamber Foundation is proud to announce this year’s Grand Marshals, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Byers, long-time residents of the greater Rochester area. They can be found generously contributing their time and talent throughout our community.

Bill Byers says, “All in all, I am very proud to receive this honor. It is a privilege to be recognized by members of my community, for something that I have done both professionally and personally, in the area. I always enjoy helping others and serving my community.”

Additionally, Jennifer Kincer, an engaged community member and longtime parade volunteer, will be featured as an honorary Grand Marshal this year. In recognition of her passionate efforts to our community, donations will be taken to place a plaque on the Downtown Rochester Donor Wall in her memory.

New this year, we will be celebrating the top fundraising group for the RRC Foundation at the Grand Marshal Gala. Join us for the Grand Marshal Gala, honoring the Byers along with all our parade sponsors, on Thursday, December 2 at the Great Oaks Country Club, 777 Great Oaks Blvd, Rochester Hills. Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased by registering online at RRC-MI.com/events or calling the Chamber at 248.651.6700. Please note the dress code is Christmas Casual; jeans are not permitted.

Parade Activities

The public is welcomed to attend various activities leading up to the 70th Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade.

Santa’s Wonderland – Open from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at 4th and Main Street, in Rochester, this heated tent hosts fun children’s activities. Warm-up and get a quick picture with Santa, sponsored by The Crawford Insurance Group! Hot cocoa and coffee will be provided by Tim Hortons for free prior to the parade start at 2:00 pm. Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital is Santa’s Wonderland presenting sponsor.

Free Shuttles into Downtown – Enjoy free shuttle bus transportation from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Pick Up Location: Chase Bank, 1290 Walton Blvd, in Rochester Hills. Drop Off Location: Downtown Chase Bank, Pine & 4th Street, in Rochester.

Watch the Parade Live – The parade starts at 2:00 pm down Main Street from the corner of Tienken Road & Rochester Road. You can always watch from the comfort of your home by going online to the RRC YouTube channel and viewing the livestream. The parade is led by the Rochester Police, Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, the Grand Marshals, and local Dignitaries. We want to thank James Feaheny, owner of Brookview Realty, for hosting the Shelton Buick GMC TV Production Center for the day of the parade. Special thanks to Shelby TV for recording and Rochester Hills TV for airing the parade throughout the month of December!

Community Afterglow Party – Join Santa and Mrs. Claus from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Bordine’s Nursery, 1835 S. Rochester Road, in Rochester Hills for more pictures with Santa (with your own camera) and goodies! Thank you to Bordine’s Nursery for sponsoring this event!

Parade Broadcast from the Shelton Buick GMC TV Production Center

Chamber Partners

It takes significant resources to produce a parade of this size and caliber, which would not be possible without numerous sponsors and Chamber members, who contribute financially and donate countless volunteer hours. The Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce is privileged to have many community-minded businesses and organizations that are significant supporters of the Chamber. Thank you: Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, Chief Financial Credit Union, Oakland University, Moceri, First State Bank, PAR Pharmaceutical, Shelton Buick GMC, Rochester University, Mattina, Kent & Gibbons; Auger Klein Aller Architects, Bellbrook, Beaumont, Revenue Refinery, and Trent Creative. We appreciate your leadership and expertise.

Parade History

The Rochester Area Hometown Christmas Parade, started by the Lion’s Club in the 1950’s, became the responsibility of the Chamber in the early 1960’s. Cited as the largest Christmas parade in Michigan, spectators watch as over 100 floats, marching bands and community groups walk down Rochester Road, anticipating the final float, graciously donated by Bordine’s Nursey, carrying Santa and Mrs. Claus.

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ABOUT THE ROCHESTER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The mission of the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce is to provide leadership and resources to advance business development in partnership with civic, cultural and educational interests for the benefit of its members and the community.

As a membership organization comprised of businesses in the greater Rochester area, the Chamber has been in existence since 1955. Over the past six decades, business leaders have contributed significantly to shaping our area into a nationally recognized community, deemed a desirable place to live, work and raise a family. Members of the Chamber, our business leaders, have given their time, talent and financial resources to benefit countless community-based organizations, projects and events. With their leadership, the Chamber has created and administered many programs and events that provide direct benefit to the community.

Dec 1, 2021, Rochester.Life Staff