Parade Leads Weekend of Festive Events

Looking for something fun to do on the Seacoast this weekend? Here are some ideas (and be sure to tell us about the things you did and show us the pictures you took by e-mailing Editor Kyle Stucker at Kyle.Stucker@Patch.com):

1. Celebrate Community and Get Your Holiday Fix: The annual Hampton Christmas Parade returns Saturday with a celebration of everything the Seacoast area has to offer, as well as a heaping of holiday spirit.

The three-mile, float- and music-filled parade, themed "SEA the Miracles" in honor of the uniting of downtown and Hampton Beach, steps off on Lafayette Road near the North Hampton town line at 1 p.m. on Saturday, and continues down Lafayette Road through downtown.

This year's parade grand marshals are the principals of four of Hampton's five schools: Tim Lannan of Centre School, Lois Costa of Marston School, Dave O’Connor of Hampton Academy, and Bill McGowan of Winnacunnet High School. Father Gary Kosmowski, the pastor of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, will march in representation of Sacred Heart School.

2. Watch Bruins Hockey and Help a Local Woman: A charity hockey game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday in honor of Terri Sliby, a beloved Kitchen at Depot Square waitress undergoing treatments for breast cancer.

Members of the Boston Bruins alumni team — including Hampton residents Rick Middleton and Kenny Linseman — will play a team comprised of local and Boston-area comedians during the 2:30 p.m. game at the Rinks at Exeter.

More details are available here.

3. Enjoy a Slew of Other Holiday Events: Hampton's annual tree lighting ceremony, hosted by the Hampton Parks and Recreation Department, is at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Marelli Square gazebo.

North Hampton's ceremony, hosted by the Friends of the North Hampton Bandstand, is at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the bandstand.

The Hampton Parent-Teacher Association's annual Breakfast with Santa is from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, and includes breakfast, crafts, holiday shopping for $5 or less per item, and photos with Santa. During the breakfast, which is $2 per person, the PTA will also collect nonperishable food items for the "Season for Giving Food Baskets," which benefits local families in need during the holidays.

If you can't attend or miss this weekend's breakfast with Santa, don't worry — there's another one scheduled for Dec. 15 at North Hampton Town Hall.

Also, the Hampton Historical Society is holding its annual Holiday Open House at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Tuck Museum.

4. Get to Know a Local Brewer: Nicole Carrier, the co-owner of North Hampton's Throwback Brewery, will be a guest on the Seacoast Promo Radio Show, which airs from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday.

You can listen to Carrier, who is moving her business into Hobbs Farm, on WXEX AM 1540 or online at www.SeacoastPR.com. The interview will also be rebroadcast from 8 to 9 p.m. Sunday on WXEX 92.1 FM.

5. Be a Part of History: A million-dollar community project breaks ground in Hampton on Sunday, and anyone is welcome to attend a celebration for the start of the historic work.

What else is going on? You tell us! There are plenty of other events, but we want to know what you're going to do. Tell us in the comments!