APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) - A holiday season favorite paraded through downtown Appleton on Tuesday night. The Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade was back for its 53rd edition. Organizers market it as the largest nighttime Christmas parade in the Midwest. Just before the parade begins, hundreds of people take part in the 'Santa Scamper.' Many of them wear costumes or holiday-themed outfits. WFRV’s 2024 Season of Volunteering Special Then the parade begins. It includes about 85 units, everything from decorative floats to local marching bands. "It's just magical everybody is waiting for Santa and we're just having fun right alongside them," said one person who participated in the 'Santa Scamper' and who dressed as Cindy Lou Who from the 'Grinch'. People arrive in the early afternoon for the 7 p.m. start of the parade to stake out the best spot on College Avenue for viewing the parade. Boys & Girls Club, Rennes Health, and Appleton International Airport win top honors at Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade One unique moment that happened in the parade this year, was a proposal that happened live on WFRV's broadcast. Barry Wood popped the big question to Jordan Bokman. They've been together for about five and a half years. "Oh my gosh, I got butterflies I started crying," Bokman told Local 5 News after the proposal. "I was so happy, I'm still shaking right now because I can't believe that this happened."  "I wanted this to be completely unexpected," Wood told Local 5 News. "I acted completely normal (before the proposal) and I told her I just wanted to get the parade over with just completely downplayed it and it completely worked. She got a second round of surprises when all of our friends were there." To watch the parade again its entirety, please click here.