Ho! Ho! Newtown! Santa Makes A Grand Entrance At Holiday Parade

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP - The NBA McCaffrey’s Newtown Holiday Parade stepped off on Sunday afternoon spreading holiday cheer from State to Sycamore streets.

From decorated floats to the jolly “Ho! Ho! Ho’s” coming from Santa Claus, the spirit of the season was infectious.

From the start of the parade, organized by the Newtown Business Association and generously sponsored by McCaffrey’s Food Markets, to the grand entrance of Santa Claus, the march was brimming with holiday magic.

“What a perfect day to have a parade. You couldn’t have asked for better weather,” said Dan Petty of Edward Jones Investments who chaired this year's parade committee. “The parade was beautiful this year. It’s probably one of the best we have done.”

He added, “This parade is a staple in Newtown every year and from what I’m hearing we really blew it out if the water this year. It was above and beyond what anybody expected.”

The parade stepped off with the Newtown Township and Newtown Borough police departments leading the way followed by McCaffrey’s Markets and its antique delivery truck featuring a holiday scene this year.

Helping to trumpet in the season were student musicians from the award winning Council Rock High School North and Council Rock High School South marching bands.

The Council Rock North High School Marching Band. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The New Melody Dance Group. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The first couple of Newtown, Mayor John Burke and his wife, Marybeth. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Council Rock South Marching Band. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Polish American Stringband. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The 2024 Council Rock Newtown Little League World Series Team. (Jeff Werner Patch)

A truck rolled by promoting Grace Point Church’s “One Winter Night.” They were followed by Playa Bowls, the New Melody Dance Group and CRNAA’s Pennsylvania 9-11 year old District 30 champions.

State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Perry Warren greeted the crowds. So did Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke who was joined by his wife on the ride through town. And both the Republican and Democratic parties were represented.

Some of the floats included Santa’s Workshop from the Clubhouse; Santa and his sleigh from Inspire; the iconic town clock from the First National Bank; a unique cabinet tree from Simply Cabinetry; a snowy scene presented by the Newtown Rotary Club; and the CR Newtown Little League 12 Year Old Little League World Series Team.

The Pennsylvania School of Performing Arts. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Let it snow! The Newtown Rotary Club float: Dedicated to service, committed to change. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Creighton family from Creighton Auto Repair. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The crew from the Clubhouse Bar and Grill. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

This was one of the most unique floats in the parade. It's a cabinet "tree" from Simply Cabinetry in Newtown. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

BC Discoveries Dance & Theater Arts Co. of Newtown. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The First National Bank of Newtown's tribute to Santa's Workshop. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Uptown Stringband. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Other highlights included BC Discoveries Dance & Theater Arts Co., tractors from the Middletown Grange Fair, Burns Auto Repair, Steele’s Auto. Repair, the Polish American Stringband, the Daisy Jug Band, the Ferko Stringband, the Girl Scouts of America; among many others.

Also joining the march were Weedman; Service First; 1st Crossing Volunteers; the Uptown String Band; the dancing reindeer of Debra Sparks Dance Works; and the Newtown Fire Association, which escorted Santa through town.

Other Holiday Events

• Santa’s Workshop at 16 South State Street will be open Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 14, 15, 21 and 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Look for the mail slot at the Santa House for children to drop off their letters to Santa. Be sure to include a self-addresses stamped envelop for a response from Santa.
• A Breakfast With Santa benefiting Shop With a Cop will be held on December 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 pm. at the Newtown American Legion Hall on Linden Avenue.
• The Newtown Borough Council has lifted its parking limitation Thursday to Sunday throughout the holiday season.
• The Newtown Theatre presents holiday movies and concerts throughout the holiday season. Visit theNewtownTheatre.com for information.