By David Fleet
Editor
Ortonville- At 3 p.m., today when the annual Christmas Parade comes to town—area resident Tom Peters will be the 2019 Grand Marshal.
“It was a very enjoyable time and appreciated the opportunity to serve,” said Peters. “I had a lot of fun.”

Peters was appointed by Santa from the North Pole and served as Santa Claus in the village from 1997 to 2016. Peters replaced Tom Amos who was Santa Claus from 1978-1996. The duties were shared by both appointees during the 1990s. Amos worked as a dispatcher for the Ortonville Police Department. Both Peters and Amos were on the Brandon Fire Department.
“Tom always knew each child’s name and some of the history of that youth growing up,” said Fred Waybrant, Brandon Township Parks and Recreation director.