Kids can still get candy at Oktoberfest parades, but it won’t be tossed by people in the parade

No more throwing candy during Oktoberfest parades in La Crosse. City police and officials with Oktoberfest have made that decision this year, to keep kids safe.

Police Captain Avrie Schott told reporters on Thursday that the ban on people in the parade tossing candy to spectators comes after years of watching what might become a hazardous situation.

“We have noticed and seen a big increase, in a lot of our kids in the community, they get so excited,” says Schott. “It’s a dark parade for the Torchlight. We have vehicles that are moving, and our kids are running out in front of moving vehicles to get that candy that’s being thrown, and they’re not really paying attention to the vehicles.”

The new policy was created with the nighttime Torchlight Parade in mind. But it also affects the daytime Maple Leaf Parade, where candy will be handed to people watching the parade at curbside.

Oktoberfest board president Terry Zalewski has seen the situation from within the parade, as a driver during the Torchlight event. “It’s dark, there are kids running out into the street, and we really want to be safe for our children that are there watching the parades,” said Zalewski.

Fest officials say that giving out candy at parades is a “beloved tradition,” but they’re following police advice to make the candy giveaway safer for everybody.