‘WE WERE HEARD’

Downtown Owatonna will be alive with decorations, lights and events – including the return of a lighted parade this holiday season on the traditional Cedar Avenue route.
Cedar Avenue has been under construction in the 300 and 200 blocks all summer. There had been a plan to start on the 100 block but downtown business owners asked for a delay.
“We were heard,” said Tanya Henson, owner of Hat Chic, Box Babes and Embroider Everything. “They took us at face value, listened and did all we could ask for.”
She, along with other business owners, pleaded with the city council, the contractors, and “anybody who had anything to do with the street construction to have the work disappear for the year by Dec. 1.”  Construction updates are at 11 a.m. each Thursday in Central Park. The meetings are open.
“We needed to be accessible to our customers,” said Henson, adding that most retailers make 70% of their income during the fourth quarter of the year,
Lisa Cochran, co-chair of the Owatonna Business Partnership along with Nicole Arndt, said the partnership exists to “plan and promote events, including as many people as we can in the planning and the attending or holding the events.” The Partnership is open to anyone who wants to participate. The regular meeting is at 8 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at The Kitchen on Cedar.
Black Friday, Nov. 26, is followed by Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 27.
“Shop Small Saturday is  our next big date,” said Cochran. “It’s huge.” Then comes the lighted holiday parade on Thursday, Dec. 2, on its regular route from Front Street, south on Cedar Avenue, and around Central Park. It will start at 6 p.m.
“Shoppers will be able to see all the work that has been completed on Cedar. It’s a first glimpse,” said Henson of both Shop Small Saturday and the Lighted Parade.     
Chamber events director, Julia Seykora, said the last parade in 2019 gave her hometown goosebumps. She said she thinks it will once again be like a Hallmark movie in 2021. The 2020 parade was canceled because of the pandemic.
The parade ends in Central Park where Santa and Mrs. Claus will hand out candy canes, the park lights will be turned on, the Owatonna High School carolers will sing, and people can enjoy complimentary cider and cookies.
Tom Brick of Owatonna Shoe Company will light the lights in honor of his business’s 75th year. He will also present the trophy for the judged best entry.
“If you can put lights on it, you are welcome to register for the parade,” said Seykora, saying that in the past people have walked covered in lights, biked or used a golf cart. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, Nov. 24.
“For sure we are doing it,” said Seykora.