Santa arrives in fine style on a old fashioned fire truck at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
The crowds descended on downtown Salem Friday night to ring in the holiday season, getting in the spirit despite the rain.
The Salem Holiday Parade was back for a second year with about 50 floats and people of all ages gathered to cheer for Santa.
The North Salem High School Marching Band begins their routine at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Even persistent rain could not keep the crowds from gathering to watch the downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Kids watch the Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Salem Mayor Chris Hoy rides by in a classic truck in the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Salem Dragon Boat float was a crowd favorite at the downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec 1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)There weren’t any rainbows but there were unicorns at the downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Salem Police Department dons their Buddy the Elf hats for the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)City Councilor Vanessa Nordyke (aka Mrs. Claus) walks with the CASA float at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Some parade observers were getting a little tired from their perch at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A well-prepared parade observer at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Oregon Native Education Foundation float had dancers behind it for the whole parade route at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The Grinch at the downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The McKay High School cheer squad walks proud in the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A friendly elf hands out candy at the downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Fire volunteers walk in the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Parade participants show their happy holiday spirit at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Santa is rigged up to go up in the bucket truck to light the Christmas tree at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Santa and Mayor Chris Hoy share a light moment before lighting the Christmas tree at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Parade attendees look at Santa during the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Jim Vu, president of the Salem Main Street Association, reads off a list a sponsors to thank during the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Members of the State Farm parade float help Buddy the Elf throw snowballs at the crowd at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Buddy the Elf starts a snowball fight with parade goers at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)The mayhem that ensues after a snowball fight that Buddy the Elf starts at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Members of the Sprague High School marching band show their musical ability at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Members of the Sprague High School marching band show their musical ability at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)A parade participant waves at the crowd during the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Buddy the Elf breaks into a spirited rendition of Feliz Navidad at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Santa waves from the bucket lift after the Christmas tree gets lit at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)Mayor Chris Hoy gets a lift up to light the Christmas tree by Salem Fire Department staff at the Downtown Salem Holiday Parade on Friday, Dec.1, 2023 (Laura Tesler/Special to Salem Reporter)
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Laura Tesler has lived in Salem, Oregon for 20 years and is originally from Flint, MI. Laura has been an underwater photographer for 15 years, and is an avid scuba diver. Topside, she has been taking photographs since age 12, and currently works on assignment for the Salem Reporter, and full time purchasing land for fish and wildlife habitat in the Willamette Valley. Laura attended Oregon State University, and has traveled extensively all over the world and the United States.
