‘Inside Santa’s Workshop:’ Preview of Sunday’s VFW Santa Parade

The 52nd Annual VFW Santa Parade takes place Sunday afternoon with five divisions—each with more than a dozen bands and floats.

VFW’s traditional parade takes place, beginning at 1 p.m., and runs along Route 125 from Hunking School in Bradford to Monument Square, concluding at VFW Post 29 on Kenoza Avenue. This year’s theme is “Inside Santa’s Workshop.”

Here’s a tentative lineup of what visitors can expect.

First Division

The first division forms at the Bradford Fire Station, unless otherwise indicated below, and steps off promptly at 1:00 p.m. Dan Plourde, Jr. and Kevin Bolduc, organizers.

  • 52nd Annual VFW Santa Parade Banner “Inside Santa’s Workshop”
  • Haverhill High School Jr. R.O.T.C. Color Guard and Unit
  • S. Naval Sea Cadet Corp
  • Lorraine Post 29 VFW Commander Edwin Girroir World War II Veteran
  • VFW District Commander
  • Haverhill District Council Veterans
  • Amvets Post 147 Color Guard
  • Greater Haverhill Korean Veterans Association
  • Hannah Dustin Chapter 20 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) & Vehicle
  • S. Marine Corps League
  • Essex County Sheriff’s Department Color Guard and Marchers
  • Haverhill Police Department Color Guard & Officers
  • City and state officials
  • Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Trolley

Second Division

Daniel Plourde, Sr. and Richard Willett, organizers.

  • Hallamore Clydesdales & Hitch (Wood)
  • Lowell Spinners Canaligator Mascot in Car (Wood)
  • STARS Special Olympics Float (Hunking)
  • Lifelong Journey Marchers (Wood)
  • Pentucket Bank Float (Hunking)
  • Salem High School Marching Band, sponsored by Pentucket Bank (Hunking)
  • Sacred Hearts School Float (Hunking)
  • Karla Pattavina’s Dance Academy (Wood)
  • Consentino Honor Society & Cheerleaders (Wood)
  • Middlesex County Volunteers Fife & Drums (Hunking)
  • Masons of the 11th Masonic District Marchers (Wood)
  • South End Dynamite Dancers (Wood)
  • Haverhill Exchange Club Float (Hunking)
  • 2016 VFW Santa Golf Champions (Hunking)
  • Londonderry High School Marching Band (Hunking)-sponsored by Bradford Country Club
  • Haverhill Recreation Department Float & Marchers (Hunking)
  • The Eagle Tribune Banner with Marchers (Wood)

Third Division

Andrew Plourde, organizer.

  • Wally & Tessie Red Sox Mascots in Thunderbird Cars (Hunking)
  • Ocasio True Martial Arts Marchers (Wood)
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary Marching Band (Hunking)
  • Riverside Church Float (Hunking)
  • Nancy Chippendale Dancers (Wood)
  • Tilton School Float (Hunking)
  • Reading High School Marching Band (Hunking)
  • Joseph’s School Float (Hunking School)
  • VFW Santa Parade Donation Collection Blanket, Costume Characters & Collectors (Wood)
  • Nettle School Cheerleaders (Wood School)
  • Beverly High School Marching Band (Hunking)
  • Kona-Ice 4U Float (Wood)
  • All That Jazz Dance Studio Marchers (Wood)
  • Haverhill Alternative School Float (Hunking)
  • Cedardale Health & Fitness Float (Hunking)
  • Dance Works Marchers (Wood)

Fourth Division

Danielle Plourde & Heather Johns, organizers.

  • Sax Pack (Hunking)
  • Haverhill Boxing Club Marchers (Wood)
  • Clan MacPherson Pipes & Drums (Hunking)
  • Whittier Technical High School Float (Hunking)
  • Legends Gymnastics (Wood)
  • Milestone Equestrian Centre Horses (Wood)
  • Methuen High School Marching Band (Hunking)-sponsored by Haverhill Beef
  • Haverhill YMCA Float (Hunking)
  • Betsy A. Conte Food Drive Vehicles & Cub Scout Pack 63 Marchers (Wood)
  • Ayer-Shirley Regional High School Marching Band (Hunking)
  • Indigo Pixies Float (Wood)
  • Covanta-Haverhill Float (Hunking)
  • Just Dance Academy Marchers (Wood)
  • Georgetown High School Marching Band (Hunking)
  • Salvation Army Float (Hunking)
  • 7 WROR Radio Car & Characters (Wood School)

Fifth Division

Jessica Plourde, organizer.

  • King of Grace Church (Wood)
  • Bektash Shriners Clowns (Wood)
  • Silver Hill Horace Mann Charter School Float (Hunking)
  • Jamabalaya Mobile Band (Hunking)
  • Roland Poor Family Float (Hunking)
  • New Liberty Jazz Band (Hunking)
  • MJS Construction Float (Hunking)
  • Haverhill High School Float (Hunking)
  • Haverhill High School & Middle School Marching Band (Hunking)
  • John Poor Family Float (Hunking)
  • Brookridge Community Church Float (Hunking)
  • Sons of Italy Drum & Bugle Corp. (Hunking)
  • Santa Claus Float-sponsored by Haverhill Bank (Hunking)

For those participating in the parade, organizers says all marching bands and floats form at the Hunking School grounds, using the Winchester Street side-entrance (off Fernwood Avenue) after 9:45 a.m. They should exit from Revere Street and from the front gate (South Main Street) after 9:45 a.m.

All fire engines, antique cars and emergency vehicles will assemble at Cumberland, Edmund and Kensington Avenues. This division steps off at 12:55 p.m.