Waukesha Christmas parade memorial; new sculpture to honor victims
Waukesha Christmas parade memorial new sculpture
On Friday, Nov. 21, Waukesha will mark four years since the attack on the city's annual Christmas parade. Six people died in that incident. More than 70 others were hurt. The city will gather for a remembrance ceremony at Grede Park and dedicate a new memorial for the victims.
WAUKESHA, Wis. - On Friday, Nov. 21, Waukesha will mark four years since the attack on the city's annual Christmas parade. Six people died in that incident. More than 70 others were hurt.
On Friday, the city will gather for a remembrance ceremony at Grede Park and dedicate a new memorial for the victims.
Remembrance ceremony
What we know:
Artist Carmen de la Paz is putting the finishing touches on a sculpture she titled, "Holding Love."
"It’s an in-depth process that is probably the most challenging project I’ve ever taken on in my life," De La Paz said. "It’s 6'2", four feet wide and two feet deep. I started out with a block of foam made up of two inch insulation."
De La Paz carved it from foam and is covering it with a special concrete. She said it is the same stuff used at airports to withstand extreme temperatures. In other words, the sculpture itself will be Waukesha strong.
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"It converts that strong image into love and peace and hopefully a sense of serenity and healing," De La Paz said.
Sculpture concept
The backstory:
De La Paz first pitched the concept to the Waukesha Parade Memorial Commission in 2022. Thrive Architects was ultimately chosen for the memorials on Main Street and Grede Park. But the commission liked De La Paz's idea so much, it was incorporated into the space.
"Holding Love" was delayed while De La Paz created the Waukesha Strong tile project. She helped the community make more than a thousand clay tiles for the wall surrounding Grede Park.
"As a creator and artist, you dream of making something like this but not for the reason that it happened," De La Paz said.
Carmen De La Paz
De La Paz is a Waukesha native. The Christmas parade attack broke her heart. But through art, she helps the community heal.
"I just feel, if you have the talent, if you have the desire to help the community – it’s a responsibility," De La Paz said.
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De La Paz is currently the host of Roku's Spanish-language version of "Ask This Old House. She also spent years on HGTV.
Remembrance ceremony
What's next:
De La Paz is scheduled to speak at the remembrance ceremony at Grede Park on Nov. 21. The ceremony begins at 4:39 p.m., marking the exact time the Christmas parade attack began.
Waukesha Parade Memorial: Dedication ceremony at Grede Park
The Waukesha community gathered at Grede Park on Thursday, Nov. 21 to mark the three-year anniversary of the parade tragedy with the dedication of the new Parade Memorial at Grede Park.
Related links
- Details on Waukesha parade memorial
- Details for the Nov. 21, 2025 remembrance ceremony
- Carmen De La Paz website
The Source: Information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.