Swampscott Holiday Parade returns Saturday

SWAMPSCOTT – The Swampscott Holiday Parade, which is sponsored by the Swampscott Police Association, is scheduled to step off from the corner of Salem and Vinnin streets this Saturday at 5 p.m.Detective Ted Delano said he hopes the parade, which took a one year hiatus last year, would be a real community parade for all faiths. He said each member of the Swampscott Police Association donated time to make the event a success.Delano said several area businesses and groups have already made commitments to participate in the parade including Santa Claus, John’s Oil, PTOs, houses of worship and area public safety departments.Delano said in previous years more than 60 groups participated in the event and organizers hope for an even bigger turnout this year. He said he expects it would take an hour for the parade to wind its way along the six-mile parade route, which encompasses most of the town.Delano said the Swampscott Police Association is partnering with Toys for Local Children again this year. He said a U-Haul would be located at the police station until Dec. 13 so area residents can drop off new unwrapped toys that will be distributed to local children in need. The U-Haul will also be in the parade and residents can put toys in the vehicle as it passes by them along the parade route.Parade participants should arrive at the staging area, which is located at the corner of Salem and Tedesco Streets, by 4 p.m. Salem Street, Stanley Road, Linden Avenue, Dennison Avenue and Harrison Street are going to be closed to traffic from 3:45 p.m. until the conclusion of the parade, so parade participants are asked to enter the staging area from Humphrey Street.Delano said he expects the parade to cost the police association approximately $3,500 and donations to help defray the costs are still being accepted. Donations should be sent to the Swampscott Police Association, 86 Burrill St., Swampscott MA 01907.The six-mile parade route winds through most of the town. From the staging area, which is at the corner of Salem Street and Tedesco Street, the parade will move onto Vinnin Street. It will proceed to Vinnin Street to Loring Avenue and onto Essex Street. From Essex Street the parade will proceed on Burrill Street, Paradise Road and Vinnin Street. From there it will wind its way along Salem Street to Humphrey Street to Monument Avenue.Salem Street, Stanley Road, Linden Avenue, Dennison Avenue and Harrison Street are going to be closed to traffic from 4 p.m. until the conclusion of the parade.