SWAMPSCOTT — The Swampscott Police Association will host its annual holiday parade on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 5:30 p.m., which coincides with the town’s holiday festival and tree lighting.
Ted Delano, president of the Swampscott Police Association (SPA) and a detective with the town’s police department, said SPA has hosted the parade for more than 10 years, which begins at Swampscott High School and ends at Town Hall.
He said SPA started the event because “we decided that other area communities had similar events and the membership at the association wanted to donate their time to a large parade for the entire community to view.”
Funds raised from the parade go toward SPA, which helps offset the cost of putting on the event, but the main donation effort is a partnership with Toys for Local Children (TLC). People are encouraged to donate toys during the parade, which will be collected with a trolley and turned over to TLC. Last year was the biggest toy donation effort so far, Delano said.
“It’s unfortunate there are some kids and some families that are in need in our community,” Delano said. “Anything that we can do to put a smile on a child’s face, we’ll gladly assist TLC with that.”
Delano said one of the biggest highlights of the parade is Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, thanks to Jay Walsh, a city councilor in Lynn.
The parade route begins at Swampscott High School, travels Essex Street to Burrill Street, Burrill to Paradise Street, Paradise to Vinnin to Salem Street, Salem to Humphrey Street and ends at Town Hall. Delano said people should expect traffic delays along the route.
Organizations wanting to participate in the parade should contact Delano, Jim Schultz, Jay Locke, or Paul Bartram at 781-595-1111.
Danielle Strauss, the town’s recreation director, said there will be a holiday festival at Town Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. She said the tree lighting ceremony is at 6 p.m., before the parade comes in.
She said the flashlight candy cane hunt at Linscott Park will be at 5:30 p.m. Festival activities at Town Hall include electronic train rides, an inflatable ice castle bounce house, music, and crafts. Strauss said the Boy Scouts will be selling hot chocolate and the Girl Scouts will be selling cookies.
“It’s a great time of year to feel community spirit and be with your community,” Strauss said. “This is a nice time to meet your neighbors down at Town Hall and watch the parade and gather.”
During the three-hour event, Strauss said there will also be a viewing of gingerbread houses. Public viewing actually begins on Monday, Dec. 11 for the sixth annual gingerbread house contest.
The contest entries must be edible, made of gingerbread and no bigger than 12 by 12 inches. Judging categories will be most creative, best holiday spirit, best adult ages 18 and up, best teen age 14 to 17, best youth age 10 to 13 and best child 9 and under. For more information and to register, go to swampscottrec.com.
As the town gears up for the holidays, another popular event is Breakfast with Santa, sponsored by the Recreation Department and TLC, and held at the Senior Center on Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. Children will be able to visit with Santa and parents can take photos. Breakfast will be served and the event also includes a craft room.
All proceeds from the event will go toward TLC and only 75 tickets will be sold, which are $5 for children and $8 for adults. Tickets can be purchased online at swampscottps.org — click on quick links and online payments.
To wrap up the town’s holiday festivities, First Night Swampscott, based on the popular event in Boston, will be Dec. 31 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Swampscott High School. “No need to take your family into Boston to have fun on New Year’s Eve,” Strauss said.
The event includes a photo booth, face painting, New Year’s Eve crafts in the cafeteria, a bicycle stunt show, magic act and curious creatures. A countdown will be held at 5:45 p.m. and will end with a balloon drop from the second floor.
Tickets will only be sold online at swampscottrec.com and are $10 for a family of four and $5 for each additional family member.
