As master for Concord Grange No. 322, a nonprofit organization for 105 years, I would like to put some rumors about the annual Christmas parade to rest.
The parade will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 9:30 a.m. on the Heights. Brian and Samantha Blackden will be chairpersons this year, and I will assist. Debbie Patten is the treasurer, and Tom Cusano will handle the parade formation checkpoint. The potential parade route will be from Hazen Drive to Canterbury Road, ending at the former Sprague Electric parking lot.
The Grange Christmas parade committee has sent out letters for donations to help defray the expenses for bands, police coverage, awards and administrative costs. The parade theme is “My Favorite Christmas Song.”
Santa Claus will be the special guest in the parade, as he has been for 67 years. I hope this dispels any rumors that the parade won’t be held or won’t feature Santa Claus. This tradition began with the former Concord Jaycees. The Grange took over the parade and the creche when the Jaycees disbanded, and continued both, along with lighting of the Christmas trees on the Heights and downtown Concord at the State House Plaza and Eagle Square.
Please come to the Heights on Nov. 23 and enjoy the floats, marching bands, decorated vehicles, animals, emergency-response vehicles, marching units and more. And don’t forget to officially welcome Santa Claus as he makes his first visit in the pre-holiday season rush.
DICK PATTEN
Concord