Monday Marks 1 Year Anniversary Of Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy

WAUKESHA — Monday, Nov. 21, marks one year since the Waukesha Christmas parade turned from a celebration into an attack that stole six lives and impacted many more.

"One year ago, our Waukesha community experienced fear, heartbreak and loss," the city said in a Facebook post Monday morning. Prosecutors said a man decided to ram his SUV through the parade crowd that evening on purpose. Nearly 70 people were injured.

The parade was fatal for Virginia Sorenson, LeAnna Owen, Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich, Wilhelm Hospel and Jackson Sparks. Sparks was eight-years-old. Although a jury convicted a man on six counts of intentional homicide in connection with the parade and a judge sent him to spend the rest of his life in prison, the city noted many are still mourning.

Across the state, U.S. and Wisconsin flags are flying at half-mast in respect of the anniversary.

"Our lives have been forever changed," the city said.

To mark the first anniversary of the tragedy, the city has planned an event at Cutler Park at the Les Paul Performance Center. Everyone is invited to come together there at 4:39 p.m. to honor the lives lost and support the survivors. Authorites and others will deliver remarks, and at the end of the night, everyone is encouraged to light their homes in blue as a show of unity and support.

Find more information about the remembrance ceremony at the city's website.

Many people impacted by the 2021 parade were able to share their experiences after the man convicted of homicide in the case stood at sentencing in court on Nov. 15.

Among the first to speak that day was Sheri Sparks, the mother of Jackson. The day was supposed to be fun-filled with laughs and smiles, she told the court. Instead, an SUV flew by and sparked chaos.

"Every holiday, special event, family function, vacation, there will always be an empty space where Jackson should be," Sparks said.

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