SRVTHS Students Creating Christmas Parade Float

Which department store holds bragging rights for the first department Santa Claus? Many might respond “Macy’s Department Store in New York City,” but actually this American tradition began 1890 by James Edgar, owner of Edgar’s Department Store in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Fast forward to the present with Downtown Brockton Association’s (DBA) John Merian, who along with Santa, wanted to bring back some of Brockton’s heritage for today’s youth to enjoy. They came up with the idea of a historic Christmas parade float as a project for students at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School. “We thought that by engaging the Southeastern students and the community, it would give them a sense of pride in the community,” said Mr. Merian.

When the DBA representatives met with Construction/Technology instructor Roy Blanchard and Dana Batchelder, the ideas began flowing. A landscape trailer was delivered to the high school in September 2014, to form the base for the float display. The finished project will be unveiled at Brockton’s 2015 Annual Christmas Parade.

The project is a collaboration of several vocational programs. Construction is framing and transforming the trailer into a float. Cabinetmaking made reindeer, aprons and side panels for the sleigh, which was built by Metal Fabrication. Both sled and trailer were painted by Collision Repair students, while Design and Visual Communications (DVC) is painting the side panels and reindeer. Automotive Technology is responsible for work on the wheels and springs, and Electrical will address lighting. Michelle Sayers, community member and daughter of Mr. Blanchard, is upholstering the sleigh seat.

Joseph Knight, Cabinetmaking student at Southeastern, and East Bridgewater resident, looks forward to seeing the final product. “I worked on the side paneling (apron) of the float. It’s a learning experience. I think it’s going to be cool because I’m originally from Brockton, and I’m going to see it in the parade.”

Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School is a public 9-12 vocational high school located in South Easton, Massachusetts, serving approximately 1,400 students from the City of Brockton and the towns of East Bridgewater, Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Norton, Sharon, Stoughton and West Bridgewater.