Mrs. Clause Invites Wheelchair Friends of All Ages to Join the Parade

Join the fun and celebrate the holidays with the 28th Annual Downtown Parade of Lights & Festival! The Parade of Lights & Festival takes place on Saturday, December 17, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. in Armory Park, 220 S. 6th Avenue , Tucson, AZ 85701. Check out The Place at Presidio Trails’ website for a full event schedule. 

The Parade of Lights & Festival is Tucson's premier holiday event that brings the local community together to celebrate the spirit of the season and our unique culture. Visit Tucson describes the event as “a grand scale procession throughout an illuminated and decorated downtown” where you can “expect to see a cavalcade of colorful floats, baile folklorico dancers adorned with brilliant lights, marching mariachis, and even parading pups!” Think Macy’s Christmas parade – but on a smaller scale.  

Callout to Wheelchair Users!  

Karen Robison, a.k.a., Mrs. Claus, invites fellow wheelchair users to be in the parade. “Join me so… people recognize wheelchair (users) are an active, viable, involved group in our community,” Karen says. Participants will “transform our rigs into several mini wheelchair floats” and join the parade as ‘Mrs. Claus’ Wheelchairs, Friends and Family Elf Brigade.’  

Interested? Here’s the plan: 

• Meet at Karen’s to decorate your rigs (a.k.a, wheelchairs): from 1 to 4:30 p.m., 55 N. 5th Ave. MLK Apartments, Community Room. Decorator helpers from the University of Arizona will be there to assist. 

• Snack on food provided by Karen. 

• Roll, as a group, 2 Blocks to Armory Park for parade placement/organizing. 

Parking: Free metered parking on the streets (weekends and after 5 p.m.) 

Suggested Decoration Supplies to Bring  

Light packs any color (Walmart $3-$6), garland, festive gift wrap, aluminum foil, mops and brooms, sticks, reachers, duct tape any color, scissors, bungee cords, rubber bands 

What To Wear 

Everyone dresses as elves, so don a red, green, or black shirt and pants; Santa or elf hats, or headbands with elf ears, hats, antlers, etc. 

Contact  

Karen Robison for more information at 520-278-6594 to get involved.