WAUKESHA, Wis. — Three years after tragedy struck Waukesha, the community’s beloved Christmas parade returned, once again. 

For longtime residents like Ruth Eimer, this night is bittersweet.

“I was here three years ago,” said Eimer, as she recalled the night when an SUV plowed through the parade, killing six people and injuring dozens. “It was my birthday that night. We were actually at the end [of the parade] and weren’t sure what happened. It was just chaos.”

Darrell Brooks was the driver of that SUV. He was convicted in Oct. 2022 on all 76 criminal charges he faced and sentenced to life in prison. 

The city has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of the event, with vehicle barriers strategically placed along the parade route. 

Phillip Buccholz, Chief of Southern Waukesha County Search and Rescue, said lessons have been learned and changes have been made. 

“Safety is number one and based on what happened at that particular parade, investment was made, obviously, for the purpose of not letting it happen again,” said Buccholz.

For many, like 12-year-old Baron Trapp, safety doesn’t erase the memory of what happened in 2021. 

“I do feel safe,” said Trapp. “I mean, I’m glad they got the guy in jail or prison, but there’s a little bit of worry.”

Despite the lingering fears, Waukesha hasn’t lost its spirit. 

“I’m just happy to see everybody back and enjoying themselves,” said Eimer. “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody.”