Planners gear up for 25th Lynn Christmas Parade

LYNN – It was Christmas Eve 1986 when Rich Viger and John Walsh first had the idea of giving Lynn its own Christmas parade.?We were at a house party and we thought there was an accident in Saugus because of all the sirens. But we realized there was a parade over there, and I said, ?If they can do it, we can do it.? And of course everyone said I was crazy,” said Viger Thursday as he sat on Walsh?s couch petting a fluffy white cat.Walsh jumped on board pretty quickly and the pair started that year with a parade consisting of two vehicles: the Christmas truck that still carries Santa and Mrs. Claus and a police cruiser with lights and sirens to get people?s attention. It has grown every year since.This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Christmas Parade and will run from 5 to 9:30 p.m. starting on Dearborn Avenue, winding through McDonough and Market squares, Lafayette Park and Wyoma Square before ending its route at Lynngate Plaza.This year, parade-goers can check Facebook to see where the parade is throughout the night and when it will be approaching their area. The page can be found by searching Facebook for “Official Lynn, MA Christmas Parade.”As with past years, Santa will be making special stops along the way. In the past, people have been proposed to and even married during the parade, and Santa always makes time to visit ailing children and their families.Viger said he expects 75 to100 vehicles to be in the parade, including floats created and donated by area businesses and clubs, including two Latino clubs, cartoon characters like Elmo, Frosty and Pooh and plenty of fire trucks from Lynn, Swampscott and Nahant.?With all the bad you hear about the city, I try to put this on to bring good to the city.,” Viger said. “I get great help from the city and everybody seems to work together.”The parade is funded primarily by donations of money and toys from area businesses, including Walsh?s company John?s Oil. The donations are used primarily to build and light the floats, rent generators and costumes and buy toys to be handed out throughout the route.Walsh and Viger said the parade is a lot work n they begin the planning phase around August every year n but agree that the best part about putting on the parade every year is the happiness it brings to Lynners of all ages.?It?s just amazing the thousands of people who come out to see the parade and plan their Christmas parties around the parade. And the letters I get n ?You made my kid?s Christmas for 25 years,? and things like that.”Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy recently sent Walsh and Viger certificates commending them for their efforts to “bring holiday cheer to the city for the last 25 years.”Kennedy also plans to participate in the parade, and will be waving to the crowds atop a 6-foot sleigh.?Instead of making Lynn look bad we want to make it look great,” Viger said. “I like bringing good things to the city.”Walsh, who drives the Christmas truck hauling Santa and Mrs. Claus around town, said the only request he an Viger have is in the interest of safety, that people keep an eye on their children to make sure they don?t run in front of any of the vehicles on their quests for candy. Otherwise,Viger said, they can expect a Lynn Christmas Parade for years to come, rain, snow or shine.?We?ll do it until the day we die,” he said. “If I stopped now people wouldn?t know what to do on Christmas Eve.”