Haverhill’s Santa Parade Happening on Sunday

File photograph. (Image licensed by Ingram Image.)

Ho, ho, ho, Haverhill! The 53rd annual VFW Santa Parade will make its festive crawl down Route 125 from the Bradford fire station to the former VFW Post 29 building on Kenoza Avenue.

Held from 1 to 3 p.m., the parade, which carries the theme “It’s Christmastime in the City,” is sponsored by Haverhill’s VFW Lorraine Post 29. It is dedicated to the memory of longtime parade committee member Michael V. Lyons, who passed away earlier this year.

As City Councilor Thomas J. Sullivan tells WHAV, the theme was a unanimous decision on the part of parade organizers. “It gives us a chance to reflect on the City of Haverhill — what it was when we were kids, and our parents and children, and what’s it’s become today, which is a lot different Haverhill than the city we grew up in,” Sullivan said on WHAV’s Open Mike Show.

Fourteen marching bands and musical performers, including the Haverhill High and Middle School Band and Methuen High School Marching Band, will entertain along the route.

Free parking is available at Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main St. (opposite Northpoint Bible College) for those patrons who bring a canned good or make a donation to the Angelo Petrozzelli Food Pantry at Sacred Hearts Parish. Streets close at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Here is a list of 2017 marchers and participants:

  • 53rd Annual VFW Santa Parade Banner “It’s Christmas Time in the City”
  • Haverhill High School Jr. R.O.T.C. Color Guard and Unit
  • Dedication Banner “In Memory of Michael V. Lyons” Committee Member
  • 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
  • Plaistow NH Police Department Color Guard & Officers
  • City & State Officials
  • Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce Trolley
  • Hallamore Clydesdales & Hitch
  • STARS Special Olympics Float
  • Clan MacPherson Pipes & Drums
  • Tilton Tigers Elementary School Marchers
  • Pentucket Bank Marchers
  • Reading High School Marching Band
  • Asperger’s Works Marchers
  • Silver Hill/Horace Mann Charter School Float
  • The Dance Works
  • Consentino Honor Society & Cheerleaders
  • Cedardale Health & Fitness Float
  • Middlesex County Volunteers Fife & Drums
  • King & Queen Topsfield Fair Car
  • Darlene Jette Family Float
  • New Liberty Jazz Band
  • Masons of the 11th Masonic District Marchers
  • Ocasio True Martial Arts Marchers
  • Whittier Tech High School Float & Marchers
  • Immaculate Heart of Mary Marching Band
  • Haverhill Recreation Department Marchers
  • Baystate Limousines & Marchers
  • Money Blanket Banner
  • VFW Santa Parade Donation Collection Blanket, Costume Characters & Collectors
  • Kona-Ice 4U Float
  • Main Street Animal Hospital Marchers
  • Methuen High School Marching Band
  • All That Jazz Dance Studio Marchers
  • American Cancer Society Relay For Life Marchers
  • Londonderry NH High School Marching Band-sponsored by Bradford Country Club
  • Pentucket Lake School Marchers
  • John Greenleaf Whittier Birthplace Horse & Carriage
  • Sacred Hearts School Float
  • Haverhill Downtown Boxing
  • Haverhill Alternative School Float
  • Georgetown High School Marching Band
  • Betsy A. Conte Food Drive Vehicles & Cub Scout Pack 63 Marchers
  • Salvation Army Marchers
  • Beverly High School Marching Band
  • YMCA of North Shore Float
  • Cricket Wireless Marchers
  • Sax Pack Band
  • Bradford Christian Academy Float
  • Salem NH High School Marching Band-sponsored by Pentucket Bank
  • Bektash Shriners Clowns
  • Plaistow Dental Marchers
  • Ayer-Shirley High School Marching Band
  • Maurices Marchers
  • 7 WROR Car
  • Haverhill High School Float
  • Haverhill High School & Middle School Marching Band
  • Roland Poor Family Float
  • King of Grace Car & Marchers
  • Sons of Italy Drum & Bugle Corp.
  • Santa Claus Float-sponsored by Haverhill Bank