Milford Holiday Parade – A Polar Express Holiday Tradition (Saturday after Thanksgiving)
Each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Huron Valley Optimists join forces with the Junior Optimists of Lakeland High School and Milford High School, along with other community members, to take part in the Milford Holiday Parade.
Our float is a cherished old train engine, handcrafted by Optimist members with help from Junior Optimists, and transformed into a Polar Express adventure. Dressed in festive Christmas pajamas, we imagine being whisked from our bedrooms straight to the North Pole.
Along the parade route, some students ride the Polar Express, others perform the playful Snow Shovel Trot to “clear the tracks,” and volunteers walk alongside handing out gifts to the crowd. These gifts change from year to year but often include Beanie Babies wrapped in handmade blankets, each accompanied by a heartfelt note from the Optimists.
This beloved tradition fills Milford with holiday cheer, community spirit, and a sense of togetherness that we look forward to every year.