WAUKESHA, Wis. — There’s something magical about the Christmas and holiday season — especially for kids.

It’s why Derek Johnson from New Berlin took his grandkids to Waukesha’s Night of Lights ceremony on Friday night.

“I’m babysitting my grandkids today, and it’s the perfect idea to get them out and about and get some weather and run them around and enjoy the festivities of the Christmas spirit,” Johnson said as the kids got free hot chocolate. 

For Johnson, though, he wanted to support the community a year after heartbreak. 

“On our way here we definitely thought of that and the tragic events that occurred last year,” Johnson said. “We’re just here to celebrate with the community because that’s how communities rebound - with the love and support of one another.”

Johnson and his grandkids weren’t alone. 

Hundreds of people made their way to Waukesha for the Night of Lights celebration, just a little more than a year since six people were killed and more than 60 were hurt when Darrell Brooks Jr. drove his SUV into the annual Christmas parade. 

Kari Holley was born and raised in Waukesha, and while she doesn’t live there anymore, the parade tragedy still hurt.

“I think this is one of the hardest things anybody has really ever been through,” Holley said. “You talk to people in this community and whether they were impacted directly, physically, emotionally, it’s been a very tough year.”

After a tough year, one might think a community which has endured pain and loss — and then re-lived so much of it through the trial — wouldn’t want to come out and celebrate.

That wasn’t the case Friday night, and city leaders are expecting record crowds Sunday for the parade. 

Holley said nothing could stamp out the Christmas spirit — and celebrating with family, friends and community.

“I think it was important, especially to show the little ones that things happen in life, and we have to move on by supporting each other,” Holley said.

It’s what Johnson said defined Waukesha for the past year. 

“The unity of the community and the support for one another,” Johnson said.

Unity — showing others across Wisconsin and the nation that “Waukesha Strong” isn’t fading any time soon.