Lynn Christmas Parade maintains, begins traditions

LYNN – Although there were 24 editions before and many more to come after, this year’s Santa Parade in Lynn was one for the record book, said the parade’s organizers and participants.”This is one of the best parades, I think,” said Rich Viger, one of the longtime planners of the parade as he helped line up parade participants on Summer Street.More than 100 vehicles tugging mostly handmade decorative floats honked their horns and waved to people for 26 miles through the city of Lynn on Saturday night for the city’s 25th annual Christmas parade.Lifelong Lynn resident January Mallett decided to participate in the parade from his living room – or rather, an old loveseat, a plywood mantle hung with stockings and a small plastic Christmas tree that he put together as a float for his family.His wife, Nicole, and 6-year-old Trinity would be sitting high on the loveseat, a box of candy by their side ready to throw to parade watchers, while January Mallett and his 2-year-old daughter would wave from the truck.For the Malletts, participating in the Lynn Christmas Parade is a family tradition passed down a generation.”I used to watch this parade as a kid,” January Mallett said.Another group of parade participants also remember watching the parade as children. About a dozen ’20-somethings decided to step from the sidelines to the front lines last year by riding together in the parade with a pick-up truck and a Christmas-light decorated stereo.”When I was little, I used to always want to be in the parade,” said Joshua Sadowsky.For them, the parade is an opportunity to connect with members of their community they might not normally see on a daily basis.”It’s great saying ‘Merry Christmas’ to the kids,” said Derrick Say. “It’s like giving back.”A block down Summer Street, residents Don and Mark Maguire were giving back in their own way: By grilling hot dogs to give away to hungry parade participants.”I hope it will become a tradition,” Don Maguire said.Among some of reasons that make this year so special was the tragic death of Peabody firefighter James Rice, who died the day before battling a three-alarm fire in a downtown Peabody home. All 12 residents made it out alive.A sign honoring Rice’s sacrifice stretched across the front of one of the parade’s most distinctive floats – a fire engine carrying Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their reindeer.”It was the least we could do,” Viger said.Another touching moment came with Sgt. 1st Class Brenda Beaton, just home from serving a tour of duty in the Middle East, surprised her mother by hopping off a float at Euclid Avenue. Her mother did not know she was home until that moment, Viger said.Every Christmas parade is special in its own way, Viger said.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.The parade is funded primarily by donations of money and toys from area businesses. 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.Amber Parcher may be reached at [email protected]