WHATELY — The annual Whately Santa Parade will return for its eighth year on Saturday, Dec. 20, with familiar floats and a few new faces.
A line of Whately fire trucks, police cruisers, a South County EMS ambulance and floats decorated with holiday flair will depart on their two-hour journey starting from the Whately Town Offices at 4:30 p.m. After driving to Grey Oak Lane, Straits Road, Herlihy Park, Christian Lane and North Street, the parade will reach the Whately Inn at 5:45 p.m. Next, the vehicles and floats will continue along Masterson Road, Webber Road, Westbrook Road and Claverack Road before finishing at the Highway Garage at 6:30 p.m.
“Instead of having a short parade trying to concentrate viewers along a short parade route, we really focus on trying to bring the parade to the residents and friends and families,” Fire Chief JP Kennedy explained.
He expects to see hundreds of residents waving from their windows, yards and street corners as they watch the holiday lineup pass by their homes and neighborhoods.
“It draws a lot of people because it’s a fun family-oriented event and it’s got a lot of nostalgia for town residents,” Kennedy said.
As in previous years, Santa and the Grinch will greet fans from their floats. Viewers can signal Santa with low-power flashlights and glowsticks to say hello. Along with the familiar float stars, Kennedy said a few new characters will join the holiday tradition this year.
“There will be several surprises,” he teased. “Our firefighters have worked hard on this year’s floats.”
Kennedy described the parade as both a celebration and a break from firefighters’ routines.
“It’s a fun way for our firefighters to give back to the community,” Kennedy said.