WHATELY — Accompanied by Mrs. Claus, Santa returned to town Saturday night for the third annual Whately Santa Parade.
“We like to give our community something to look forward to,” said Whately Fire Captain J.P. Kennedy, who said the parade is a collaborative event between the Whately Police and Fire associations.
With the help of the Fire Department, Whately Police Sgt. Donald Bates organized the first parade in 2018. Its success has made it an annual tradition in town.
This year, to adhere to COVID-19 safety precautions, each vehicle in the parade had members of the same household unit within them, according to Kennedy.
“We’re trying to take all the precautions we can to be safe,” he said.
Guided by Whately Fire, Police and EMS vehicles, Santa was paraded on his sleigh through town, making his way from West Whately to East Whately. Parade watchers stepped outside their homes, or found a spot to park along the parade route.
Marcie Savoie and her daughter, Mira Weare, of Colrain were among the spectators Saturday night. They watched from Herlihy Park.
“It was nice to not have to really worry about so many people,” said Savoie. “They gave the route so you could go anywhere along the route in town. … There’s plenty of room for everybody.”
Mira, a second-grader at Whately Elementary School, said she had fun watching the parade. Her favorite part wasn’t seeing Santa, though.
“It was the Grinch,” she said.
The Grinch, who was escorted through town by Whately Police, was a new addition to the parade this year.
The parade left the Town Offices at 4:30 p.m. and made its way through town, weaving its way through the streets of Whately before ending at the Highway Garage/Fire Station on Christian Lane at around 6:30 p.m.
Kennedy said Saturday’s parade was a safe way to “bring joy” to the community.
“It’s been a tough year,” he said.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne