HAVERHILL — What better way to kick off the Christmas season than with a big parade replete with melodious marching bands, fabulous floats, dazzling dance groups and of course, Santa himself.
Get ready for some thrills when the 59th annual VFW Santa Parade kicks off on Sunday at 1 p.m. in front of the Bradford Fire Station with the theme, “Candyland Christmas!”
“The weather is supposed to be great, we have an above average number of floats and marchers this year, and it should be a great day for a parade,” said Parade Chairman Daniel Plourde Sr. “It’s one of the greatest events the city hosts each year and we’re glad to make it happen for the people of Haverhill.”
The parade will travel along South Main Street, past the Bradford Common and over the Basiliere Bridge before turning left onto Merrimack Street to Washington Square, then right onto Emerson Street. It will then disband in front of the Boys & Girls Club.
Considered the longest-running parade north of Boston and the biggest event in the city, the VFW Santa Parade dates back to 1964, when it was established by the veterans of Lorraine Post 29 and led by John “Sully” Sullivan until his death in 1985. His son, City Councilor Thomas Sullivan, served as chairman for the next 15 years and is still vice chair today.
”The Parade Committee has worked very hard to put the best possible parade line-up together for everyone to enjoy on Sunday,” Sullivan said. “My dad would be very happy and proud of everyone who has kept this tradition going in the city he loved for the past 59 years.”
This year’s grand marshal is Erin Erler of Cakes by Erin.
Leading this year’s spectacle is the Haverhill Fire Department color guard and officers along with fire engines and other emergency vehicles from across the Merrimack Valley, antique and specialty cars as well as various veterans organizations, law enforcement organizations and city and state officials.
Marching band favorites include the Londonderry High School Lancers, Georgetown Royal Lancers, Immaculate Heart of Mary, The Great American Marching Band, the Reading and Beverly high school marching bands, Salem High School and the Haverhill Middle and High School Band.
The parade route will also be filled with music from the New Liberty Jazz Band, Clan MacPherson Pipes and Drums, New Magnolia Jazz Band, and the Santa Claus Jazz Band.
Marchers and performers are part of the spectacle, including Asociacion Carnavalesca de Massachusetts, a wildly colorful Dominican folkloric dance group from Lawrence, as well as the the UNH Winterguard, Karla Pattavina’s Dance Academy, the Hunking Bobcat Cheerleaders, Bella Ballerina Merrimack Valley and others.
Lots of family, businesses, community and church groups are expected to have floats in the lineup, including Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School, Consentino Middle School, Bradford Elementary School, Moody Preschool, Opportunity Works, Pentucket Bank, Free Masonry, the Haverhill Fire Department, King Grace Church, Wicked Axe, NRT Bus, Crescent Yacht Club, Haverhill Girls Softball, Sacred Hearts School, Haverhill Jr. Hillies Football and Cheerleaders; Greenleaf Academy, Haverhill Hitman, G’s Restaurant, Nots Barber Shop, Cub Scout Pack 63, and many others.
And, of course, Santa himself will arrive on his reindeer drawn sleigh at the end of the parade.
Donate to the VFW Santa Parade
Parade organizers will be accepting donations to help pay this year’s $40,000 cost for marching bands and other expenses.
Betsy Conte Food Drive
The annual Betsy Conte Food Drive takes place during the parade with volunteers collecting non-perishable items that will be distributed to local food pantries after the parade.
Ozzie’s Kids toy drive
Ozzie’s Kids will have a float and volunteers will be collecting donations of new toys for distribution to needy children in time for Christmas.
Lions Club eyeglass collection
The Haverhill Lions Club will be collecting used eyeglasses during the parade.