Santa Claus came to town on Sun., Dec. 7, 2005, escorted by the Big Lake Fire Department, the Big Lake Police, and the Grinch, for the Big Lake Community Tree Lighting and Fire Dept. Parade.  

The parade began at the fire department at 4:45 p.m. fire trucks, police cruisers, and a tricked out red Chevy Camaro convertible —which was driven by Santa with the top down — even though the temperature was only seven degrees.

The parade wound down Minnesota Ave. and drove around Mitchell Lake and Big Lake, before arriving at City Hall to a sparse crowd of 80 people and children, who stood around crackling fires, toasting s’mores, drinking hot cocoa, and trying to stay warm. Kids immediately stopped playing on the ice rink and ran to the fence that surrounded the Park to see the engines and police cruisers line up with lights flashing in the clear night air.

Sergeant Nic Prigge got out of his vehicle and asked the crowd if he should let the Grinch out of the back of his squad. The answer was a resounding yes and the Grinch was set loose to pose for pictures with families and kids. The Grinch was present because of the efforts of Big Lake Hive Cheerleading. Earlier that day, they hosted a fundraiser in nearby Orrock at the Getaway Bar.

Aubrey Sufka, a supporter of Hive cheerleading, played the Grinch. She said, “I’m obsessed with the Grinch!”  

When asked why the Grinch is so popular, she gave these thoughts, “I think people want to bring back the classics... bring back the joy.”

That joy was evident as Santa pulled up to city hall. His Camaro had a couple of Christmas tree lighted reindeer attached to the front.  Santa and Mrs. Claus were played by Mike and Teresa Bondhus; the Camaro was theirs and was a big hit on the parade route.

“A lot of people came out to see us,” explained Teresa, who also said this about driving with the top down.  “The houses blocked the wind, except when we crossed Eagle Lake—that was cold.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus took a moment to warm up before heading out for the tree lighting. They were joined by the Grinch and at 6 p.m., to the countdown of the crowd, the tree was lit. Later, Santa posed for pictures with waiting kids inside of City Hall, but many departed shortly after the tree lighting.