2009 Santa Parades in the Greater Newburyport, MA Area

Nothing kicks off the Christmas season like your local Santa Claus Parade. The streets are lined with people bundled in cold weather gear, infants in strollers and kids anxiously waiting to see Santa for the first time this season. As a child my Mother never let us miss a parade. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day we always went out to pay our respect, but the Christmas parade has always been our favorite.

Each parade features the local police, sheriff and fire departments with their fanciest vehicles. The local marching bands playing Christmas carols, the Shriners driving around in miniature cars and people dressed in holiday garb. The various floats are all decorated in holiday theme touting bags of candy canes and tootsie rolls to throw to the children waiting for Santa's arrival.

Generally each town in the area has their Christmas parade on a different date. This way many of the same groups can come out and participate in more than one parade. This works out great for families in the area too. If you happen to miss one parade, then there's always another. The kids can never get too much celebrating or too much Santa. Watching the season's first Christmas Parade is the best motivation for starting your holiday shopping and getting into the giving mood.

Here are a few Christmas parades in our area. Make sure you see at least one!

Newburyport, MA welcomes the Christmas season at 3:00pm on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by boat at the boardwalk in downtown Newburyport. Then they will parade through downtown Newburyport and end up at Market Square. Make sure to stick around until 4:00 for the tree lighting ceremony. It's worth the wait. Santa's Workshop officially opens December 5 through December 20 from 12:00 to 4:00 every Saturday and Sunday. Stop in and bring the kids to see Santa and drop off their Christmas Lists.

Amesbury, MA has its annual Santa Parade on December 5, 2009 at 3:30pm. The tree lighting ceremony immediately follows the parade at the downtown rotary. Provident bank will be hosting an open house at their Market Street Branch following the tree lighting ceremony. Make sure to mark the date and help celebrate the holidays with the Amesbury community. We never miss it!

Last, but not least is the annual 2009 VFW Santa Parade in Haverhill, MA. The parade is scheduled to take place on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 1:00 pm. The rain date is scheduled for November 28, 2009 at 10:30 am. Haverhill always put on a great parade. There are more than 15 marching bands and at least 20 decorated floats. People come out early and reserve their spots so they can get the best view. The route starts at Hunking Middle School in Bradford and ends at the VFW Post at 64 Kenoza Ave. in Haverhill. This is one festivity you won't want to miss.

Bundle up, bring your camera and fill up the thermos with hot cocoa. The annual Christmas Parade is a tradition that should never be forgotten. Your community depends on your support and holiday spirit to make this event a true success.