NAHANT — After not being able to hold the Christmas parade due to COVID-19, the town will once again host its festivities ― this year, on Saturday, Dec. 18.
This year’s festivities marks the 25th anniversary of the first parade, which was held in 1995.
Police Lieutenant Thomas Hutton founded the Annual Christmas Parade in 1995 with the assistance of then-Police Chief Joseph Manley and Lieutenant Dean Palombo. Part of the parade involves raising funds for the Thomas Hutton scholarship, which is handed out to a select few Nahant seniors, as well as various local charities.
“We are extremely excited to bring it back this year and are looking forward to continuing the tradition. (We are) hoping that we have a ton of festive floats in the parade, and that our residents come out and enjoy and donate to the mission of raising funds for the scholarship and the charity,” said Town Administrator Antonio Barletta.
Barletta also mentioned that it is exciting to be able to hold the event after not being able to in 2020.
“We’re getting to enjoy it in a semi-normal state,” he said. “We are still being cautious about the coronavirus and advising our residents to be cautious about it. On the other hand, getting back to life as it was before the pandemic is the ultimate goal, and any event or moment that resembles pre-pandemic lifestyle is extremely exciting. It’s very special for our youth and even the elderly too. Those two groups were extremely impacted by COVID.”
“Bringing this parade back probably means a lot to them,” said Barletta.
With the parade rooted in charity and giving back to the community, Barletta believes that individuals have a heightened sense of remembrance to help out their community.
“There’s something special about Christmas time, the holiday spirit and the community, getting together with your friends and family, and being able to enjoy each other’s company,” he said. “There’s something special about that and this parade plays a significant role in that tradition.”
