Nahant Santa Parade set for Saturday night

NAHANT – It’s that time of the year again, and organizers for the Nahant Santa Parade are looking for a few elves to escort Santa and Mrs. Claus through town Saturday.”The parade takes off at exactly 6 p.m., and anyone and all are invited to participate,” said Roz Puleo, one of the parade organizers. “Whatever anybody wants to dream up to put in the parade, we’ve had motorcycle reindeer, a gingerbread house, local businesses decorating trucks; it’s a fun night.”This is the 16th year that Police Lt. Thomas Hutton and many volunteers have organized the Nahant Santa Parade, Puleo said. Organizers said the event has grown from only having 5 to 10 cars to a caravan of approximately 70 cars/floats today, and they are looking for more. Town departments and surrounding areas’ police and fire departments will be represented, and Puleo estimated that it takes about an hour for the parade to meander through town and show special guests Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus all the sights.Cash donations are collected for the parade and all money raised goes to the benefit of Item Santa, My Brother’s Table, scholarships for Nahant graduating students and other local charities, according to Hutton. Those who aren’t able to participate in the parade itself are encouraged to cheer along the floats and shout out welcomes to the special guests from the North Pole. Viewers may even get some candy and beads for their support.”This year it’s going to be cool – but no snow and no rain, and what the parade participants love to see is everybody out in the streets cheering them on,” said Hutton. “What we love the most is to see the expression on the peoples’ faces ? it’s where the town comes out in the dead of winter and celebrates!”The line-up begins at 4:30 p.m. at the Tides restaurant parking lot – Hutton noted the DCR has done an excellent job to make sure there is no inconvenience to the parade – and Legal Sea Foods will offer hot chowder to participants to fortify them for the journey. Hutton reiterated that all are welcome to participate with a truck or float, just show up ready to go.The parade departs from the parking lot at 6 p.m. After winding through both Big and Little Nahant, the parade concludes with a reception for participants at the Tides featuring pizza and chowder.Hutton said that a huge thank you is in order for the Nahant Police, Fire and DPW, area businesses, and residents who participate in the event and make it one of the biggest annual events in Nahant.For more information, please contact Hutton or Puleo at 781-581-1212. Cash donations may be made to “Nahant Christmas Parade” and sent to the Equitable Bank at 28 Nahant Road, Nahant MA, 01908.