The Torchlight Parade kicked off Oktoberfest weekend in La Crosse on Thursday, Sept. 26. The parade began at 7 p.m. in North La Crosse, ending at Copeland Park where the fun continued at the Afterglow Bash.
The Torchlight Parade featured people and floats covered in colorful lights, and some organizations even took it a step further with additional lighting effects.
“There were a lot of pyrotechnics,” University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Student Brycen Cordts said. “A lot of fireworks and flames. There were actually a lot of flames!”
“It made it different,” UWL Student Jack Koch added, “I’ve never seen a parade at night, and there’s definitely a different element to it that I’ve never experienced before.”
Hannah Kaiser, another UWL student, was also impressed by the lights. “I don’t think it’s like a parade I’ve ever seen before,” she said. “I’m not used to seeing a parade at night all lit up. It was really cool!”
While all of the brightly decorated floats were impressive to see, a few stood out to those watching.
“I liked the shopping cart with the hotrod bottom, and the ferry was really well done,” Koch said, referring to the Festival Foods and Riverfest Commodores and First Mates floats.
The KwikTrip and Great Lakes Cheese cow floats were also a big hit along with the local school bands that performed in the parade.
“I especially liked the bands,” UWL Student Taylor Ellison said. “They actually look really cool when they have all the glow sticks on them.”
The Oktoberfest celebration will continue for the next few days in La Crosse, and those attending the parade were also looking forward to what the rest of the weekend would bring.
“It should be fun! I’m excited for it! I’ll spend a little time downtown and spend a little time around just chilling out,” said Koch.
A full list of Oktoberfest events can be found on the Oktoberfest USA website.
