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The Windsor Christmas Parade and Market is officially known this year as Windsor Wonderland, and that wonderland is set to become a reality Saturday, Dec. 7, at 4 p.m.

The Town of Windsor Events Committee has fielded an impressive number of requests from organizations and people requesting to participate in both the parade and market.

Windsor Mayor George Stubbs, who is also a member of the Events Committee, confirmed the parade lineup is full, with a total of 40 participants.

Referencing the town’s Christmas event overall, he said, “We started this three years back, we’re building from COVID, and the people have been very, very generous about coming in and saying, ‘Hey, we want to participate in your parade.’ And we’ll be glad to have you, and we can’t say enough in thanking the people for that.”

He noted that he and fellow organizers have increased the distance of the parade this year. The parade route will go from Shirley Drive to Holland Drive, then to Roberts Avenue, down Church Street to Duke Street, down A Street to North Court Street, then to Georgie Tyler Middle School and Windsor Town Center.

“The streets that we’ve named, Windsor Police Department will start closing off streets about 3:30 p.m., and that’s preparation for the parade to begin at 4 o’clock,” Stubbs said.

He stated that the parade’s Grand Marshal will be Dewitt Holland.

Stubbs provided a summary overview of what attendees can expect from the parade, noting that among its participants will be Boy Scouts with flags; one of the newest frog statues that has been completed by Dewitt Holland; the Windsor Volunteer Fire Department; the Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department; the Windsor High School Dukes Marching Band; a Jeep car club; the Newport News Fife and Drum Corps; and several individuals with automobiles, including Ford Mustangs and a Polaris Slingshot.

Stubbs indicated that the review stand for the emcee and the judges for the parade will be set up at Wesley F. Garris Event Park on Duke Street. Those judges will be determining who wins awards for certain categories among the parade participants.

Stubbs noted that the Cub Scouts will be selling hot chocolate at Garris Event Park.

The Windsor Christmas Market will take place inside Windsor Town Center, and Stubbs said that as of Wednesday, Dec. 4, there were 30 market vendors, and organizers had some that are on a waiting list.

“We’re very, very well pleased with the participation that has been shown to us and people reaching out to us — very well pleased,” he said.

There will also be three food trucks set up at the Windsor Town Center.

Asked what he would say to invite people out to Windsor Wonderland, Stubbs said, “I understand that the weather forecast is going to be extremely cold, but I would ask them to bundle up tightly and come out and join us. I think we’re going to have a fantastic time. Other than being cold, the weather looks like it’s going to (cooperate) with us, and I would just extend an invitation to all who can come out and join us, and we’d be glad to have you and to thank everyone that has contacted us so far and said that they were going to be there.”