Christmas in the Ville 2024 video highlight:
Every year, I bundle up, grab my camera, and chase down Pete Black Plumbing’s float through the cold streets of downtown Fowlerville Michigan for the annual Christmas in the Ville parade. As a videographer, capturing the energy, warmth, and excitement of this event—despite the freezing temperatures—is a challenge I look forward to every holiday season. I’m always thanks ful for the balloon basket heaters that line the main part of the parade.
Bringing the Parade to Life The streets of Fowlerville transform every December as families gather, eager to see the festive floats light up Main Street. Local businesses, including Pete Black Plumbing, go all out to create displays that capture the holiday spirit. This year was no different, with their collaboration alongside J. Mills Plumbing making for a standout float that truly represented the craftsmanship and dedication of both companies.
The Chase Begins Filming a parade float isn’t like shooting a sit-down interview or a controlled event—while parades aren’t usually fast-paced, this one moves quickly. Our entire drive through the main route took just 20 minutes, so I moved quickly to make every shot count. I had to keep up with the float, and watch out for some parade participants. From behind the camera, I worked to highlight the details: the twinkling lights, the waving team members, and the smiling faces of kids in the crowd as Pete Black Plumbing rolled by.
Stepping into Virtual Reality This year, we took things a step further and created a virtual reality experience so you can ride alongside the Hydro Vac Truck in full 3D. If you have Apple Vision, Meta Oculus, or Meta Quest goggles, you can immerse yourself in the parade like never before. It’s the next best thing to being there in person. The View from the Truck For those who couldn’t make it out in the cold or just want to experience the magic again, I put together VR experince from the perspective of the truck itself. It gives viewers a first-person experience, as if they were right there in the parade, waving back at the crowd and soaking in the festive atmosphere.
Until Next Year! Christmas in the Ville is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of community, and I’m grateful to capture and share it through my lens. Big thanks to Pete Black Plumbing and J. Mills Plumbing for making this year’s float such a success, and to everyone who came out to celebrate. Until next year, stay warm and enjoy the holiday season!