Why Christmas Parade?

I read a letter to the editor in another periodical recently that upset me because i knew the writer very well and why he didn't call me I will never understand.   So I decided to write this blog about the Christmas Parade.  

This will be my 42nd year of being associated with the parade, mostly as chairman.  The Christmas Parade was formerly known as the Santa Claus Parade organized by the Concord Junior Chamber of Commerce in the early 1950's.   The named changed to the Christmas Parade sometime in the late 1950's.   It stayed as that for 30 years.  I became a member of the committee in 1971 when I became a member of the Jaycees.  Pineconia Grange to which I belong as a member had floats in the parade prior to my joining.  I felt sad because the parade had two bands, one of which was a drum corps, three floats, group of horses, Santa Claus, and the Jaycee banner.  The parade  route in downtown Concord was lined on both sides of the street with hundreds of people.   I served as chairman the next year and tried to make it bigger.  We added another band and several floats along with a different Santa Float.   We continued to make changes and the parade started to grow.  The Jaycees disbanded in 1977 and many wondered what would happen.  The parade in those years was held on the first Sunday in December and then moved to the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  I approached the Chamber of Commerce and the Concord Heights Business Alliance.  They both agreed to co-sponsor the parade as long as I continued as chairman.  One year it would be downtown but with the stipulation it would move to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.   I had alot of thoughts because I didn't know how people would take to that. I tried to no avail to get the streets decorated, the Christmas tree placed on the plaza, and the Creche decorated as well.  I was told they would try, but as the day came, none of it happened.  The weather was beautiful and the crowd was more than ever.  Everyone agreed it was a big success.  We had several bands and drum and bugle corps.  The next year the Heights Alliance hosted the parade.  A new parade route and new beginning, but the event attracted even more people.   The next year the parade would go back to North Main Street except for one problem, the Chamber of Commerce decided they didn't want to  sponsor again.  It was a shock, so back to the Heights Alliance.  They wanted to and would support it but money problems plagued them.  I spoke with the late Ray Kling, who was a good friend and manager of King's Department Store.  He agreed they would sponsor it.  The parade route would stay on Loudon Road but the marchers would proceed down Loudon Road from D'Amante Plaza to King's Department Store with Santa going inside the store to meet boys and girls.       Again the parade was a big success for everyone.    The sad news came again as King's Department closed their doors and went out of business.   This time being a member of Pineconia Grange # 322, I approached the members and they decided as long as there wasn't to much for parade expenses, they would be the sponsor.    Well I wasn't sure what took place, but the police decided they had to charge money to cover the parade, bands asked for more money and prize money would be given to the best floats.   It was time to increase sending out letters and contacting people for donations.  Tom Cusano, who owned the Stove Barn and a key member of the Heights Alliance, along with Paul Strobridge, Tina Smith & and her daughter in law joined a committee.  We tried to raise money along with the Grange allotting some.  We were able to pay the police along with giving a token donation to Concord High School, Merrimack Valley High School Bands and Bektash Temple Drum & Bugle Corps.  The went through a few years of downsizing but the tradition continued.  The parade was held on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.  It worked well but something happened that none us predicted.  First a snowstorm, then school boards stated that their bands could not or would not play on Sundays and on holiday weekends along with not playing into December.   So the decision was made to move it back to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.   Lilla & Don Riley, Patricia Sweeney, Oldies 99 FM Station, Concord Lodge of Elks, and Bill Gattis joined the committee and it was decided to solicit ads for a parade book to raise funds.  The name changed from the long standing Christmas Parade to Holiday Magic to incorporate Thanksgiving Day theme entries for floats.  Don & Lilla traveled to many merchants in Concord to Epsom, Chichester, Bow, and Boscawen in search of support.  The booklet was a big success except that we found more on the side of the road than went home with people.  There were coupons inside as well, but the parade doubled in size.  The Holiday Magic theme continued for several years until it was decided to go back to the Christmas Parade.    It has remained that for the last 15 years.  The Saturday before Thanksgiving has remained very popular with weather and people in general.   It was and remains the kickoff of holiday parades in the state.  There are a couple of holiday parades just over the border in Massachuetts.   We get people from all over the central NH region.  Santa's letters are a good indication as his elves have read letters from children in Manchester, Hillsboro, Allenstown, Northwood, Dover, Boscawen, Franklin, Salisbury, and Belmont to say a few.  The lines of Loudon Road are full of people of all ages.  

This past year another change happened.  I asked about having Division 1 dedicated to the Military or Veterans.  Concord has not had a Veterans Day Parade since the early 1960's.   The theme of the parade "Let's Welcome Home the Troops for the Holidays."  The participation and floats were tremendous, with the parade deemed a big success.  So much the Veterans portion will remain with the parade.   James Cusano, son of Tom Cusano approached Dick Patten 3 years ago asking stating he would like to become more involved and would like to learn about the parade.  He became my prodigy and today is taking on more responsibility.  I will be taking care of the Division 1 Veterans portion.  While the Grange continues to be the major organizer, the committee reaches out to businesses and organizations for support, band sponsors and more.    It has become a major Saturday on the Heights.  The Bektash Temple has their Fez-ti-vel of Trees kickoff, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church has their holiday fair, other businesses schedule sales or specials for the parade weekend.  It has become the unofficial kickoff to the festive holiday season.   The writer forgets that Concord does not have a big flux of bands to march.  Concord High School and Merrimack Valley along with Bow High School will march however they have said that when the weather becomes to cold, it is time to put the marching band to rest and concentrate on concert band.   The Bektash Temple Drum Corps no longer marches after Veterans Day.   The Concord VFW Band that marched for years disbanded in the late 1960's.  The Nevers' Band stopped marching in the mid 1970's and normally doesn't play until early June.  It will play on a flat bed trailer.    Rundlett Junior High or Middle School doesn't march in parades until Memorial Day.   Pembroke Academy, Hopkinton High, Pittsfield High don't have marching school bands.   Belmont High School used to come to Concord but stopped along with Hillsboro=Deering High School Bands.   If you want to pay over $2,000 dollas then you might get Salem or $3,000 dollars play you could get Londonderry, Alvirne, or Pinkinton Academy.   If you wish to contribute over $4,000 dollars the Nashua Spartans might come.   The Manchester Muchachos Drum and Bugle normally get $2,000 plus.  So that's the problem we are in.   We have had Woodsville High School and Hollis Town Band, both of which ride on a flat bed trailer and are reasonable while they play good music, their sound doesn't get as loud as it should due to lack of speakers.  The Manchester High Schools refuse to  come to Concord, as well as Dover, Laconia, Monadnock High Schools.  The York, Maine High School Band came twice to play and enjoyed it, but their football  team if successful must go to the championship.     I have tried as well as Tom Cusano to attract music.  Once again, it is the funds that we raise.  We are lucky to raise $4,000 dollars and $1700  must go for police coverage.     That leaves the rest for music, administrative costs, and prizes.     

I hope this explains the writer why the parade is not in December and as someone will say, if you can do it better, then please join the committee. I have for 42 years done the best I can.  It is volunteer, I get paid nothing and I mean nothing only the satisfaction when I see the smiles on people faces how many they enjoyed seeing Santa Claus.    Fundraising has begun for this year's parade.  As far as the name,  I am open to  calling it Holiday Magic, but the fact remains, it is always Christmas themed and Santa Claus remains the major guest star.    Please call me at 496-2917 if you have comments or questions.  Please don't write letters I am very happy to talk to anyone about the parade.