MEMO's Holiday Parade Is Medfield Tradition

A Holiday Tradition....

To the delight of Medfield residents, a festive and merry holiday tradition returned to the streets of Medfield on Dec. 4th.

The MEMO Holiday Parade was back on track and it was enjoyed by everyone in the parade as well as all those enjoying it on the sidelines.

The Medfield Employers and Merchants Organization, Inc.(MEMO) was organized in 1979 and is comprised of over seventy local businesses. Their mission includes supporting their member businesses and the community as a whole.

MEMO has been organizing this parade for over 30 years and it has always been held on the first Saturday in December. MEMO Holiday Parade Chairperson, Alison Brown explained “It has been fun putting this parade together for the past 4 years. My job includes working with the police and fire departments, coordinating with the towns Selectmen, Medfield School Superintendent, HS marching band, all of the Scouts and Dance academies that march, along with coordinating those MEMO members showcasing their business with floats. MEMO has been running the Holiday Parade as another community event that makes Medfield the great town to live in for all families. Our members are also given the opportunity to sponsor a float in the parade showcasing their own business. This year it was fun seeing a few very creative additions. MEMO is very proud to support the town with events like this as well as charitable activities.”

The parade began at Medfield High School and leading the way, was MPD’s finest in Car 331, followed by Medfield FD Engine #1, with Selectmen Pete Peterson and Gus Murby right behind.

This year's parade marked the BIGGEST in the history of MEMO parades, with 10 floats and decorated vehicles, 14 Girl Scout Troops, 2 Cub Scouts Packs, 2 Dance companies, the Medfield HS Marching band and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus bringing up the rear with a trailer full of elves!

The colorful floats were filled with business owners and employees as well as some of Santa’s elves and Medfield High School Best Buddies! Floats (and decorated vehicles) included Hurley-Testa Construction, William Raveis Delta Realtors, Coldwell Banker, MDA Studios, Lueders Environmental, Needham Bank, Point Premiere Dance, Lions 33K Eyemobile, Closet & Storage Concepts, Rockland Trust Bank and Butterfly Tree Shop.

Girl Scouts have been a huge part of this tradition pretty much from the start. This year, 14 Girl Scout Troops participated (Grades K-5) and the 6th grade patrol from Troop 74900 (all Medfield Girl Scouts Grades 6-12 are in this troop) organized the parts of the parade that involved Girl Scouts. In addition this patrol group chose the patches, set the order of the troops and got all the girls lined up and selected the recipient of requested donations, which was the Medfield Animal Shelter. This year the Girl Scouts chose to dress up as Arctic Foxes, Snowflakes, Christmas gifts, Dinosaurs and More! The National History Museum in London recognized the connection between Christmas and Dinosaurs, as its animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex is outfitted in a colorful Christmas sweater.

Thank you, MEMO and all who support this parade and MEMO's dedication to Medfield residents and businesses.