Like just about everywhere else this year, there was no Christmas parade in this town.
But there was Santa driveby.
It was arranged that Santa would drive through various neighbourhoods of the town on three different occasions this weekend and thus go by or close to everyone.
Our turn was last evening.
We were near the end of the route, so it took Santa more than an hour to get here. It was cold and windy, but I lifted the trunk of the car in the garage and waited in not too much discomfort.
Eventually, a police car turned the corner, followed by a firetruck.
Canned goods for the food bank were collected.
Apart from Santa, there was a solitary float, which followed the firetruck.
Then came Santa, who in our town parades is always accompanied by Mrs Claus, who was nearest to us.
Santa was followed by another firetruck, and a police car brought up the rear.
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!
What a super thing for the town to organize. Kudos to the people who thought about it and those who implemented the event. And, of course, for the participants who gave of their time in the cold.
While I snapped what photos I could, Sue manned the little camera and took a video that I have pared down considerably. You will hear her wish the paraders Merry Christmas more than once.
(Hopefully, the video will actually work this time. Please press F for full screen.)
13 comments:
Parades are happening here too, in a similar way. The kids were just as excited. Great job by the organizers!
What a wonderful idea and follow through ! Once again the great idea comes from Canada ... How comforting it must be to live in a country that does things like this instead of being ashamed of it's more-than-insane leader. Thanks, AC.
You have endurance!
We do this here as well. A lovely thing. When you think of what the children have lost: no sitting on Santa's lap. Blowing out candles will never be a 'thing'. People who figure out how to work around the restrictions to give joy to kids are heroes in MY book.
Nice parade.
Living in remote,rural America...we get none of the fun stuff.
That's a wonderful idea! It gets everyone more in the spirit. The collection for the Food Bank is also much needed. We used to have a Santa fire truck that came around to visit neighborhoods but it hasn't happened for a long time. I wonder why--budget constraints perhaps? I doubt that my community's Santa Parade is happening this year. I'll have to go check it out!
How wonderful! From someone who lives in the country to your south, I wish we had more sweet parades like this one! But no, nothing similar in my little town. So thanks for sharing yours with me! :-)
We don't have a Christmas parade but most towns in our area have a holiday lights drive. They turn parks into huge Christmas light displays and then we can drive through slowly and view them from the comfort of our heated vehicles. The only difference this year was at the end there was the Santa Shack where kids could go sit on his lap and the adults take pictures. There won't be a Santa Shack this year and I think instead they put up a looped video display of him for the kids.
that was well worth while even for old guys.
The video was perfect. Yes, a great thing to do to walk the town and be the "parade".
I love the alternative ideas that people have come up with! :)
The annual Holiday Stroll usually held in downtown Nashua, NH, was cancelled this year, not unexpectedly. However, unlike in many other places, there was no alternative drive by. Nice that many places have provided them, like yours.
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