Washingtonville's 15th Christmas Parade Cheered by Thousands Led by Grand Marshall Rick Lewis, & Celtic Carriage Steed "Duncan"
- ejreporter
- 56 minutes ago
- 3 min read
"Are they coming yet? Can you see them?"
"Yes, I see them... Here comes Duncan with Rick Lewis!!"
This year's Village of Washingtonville's "Whoville" Christmas Parade, hosted by the Town of Blooming Grove's Chamber of Commerce, was exceptional in every way. Even in the hours before the Parade began, the Village Center and Route 94 were filled with people as far as the eye could see. Children played in the streets and McLaughlin Square, laughing and inventing games while waiting for Santa's arrival nearly 2 hours later. Babies carried by moms and dads were carefully wrapped in snuggly blankets on this chilly night, but most were very relieved that threatened ice and snow were blocked by the week's extra cold temperatures. Photo ops were here and there capturing young couples in front of the Square's decorations, and the young girl above was coached to give her best smile for the Courier camera. Her joy for the festivities beamed through.
Then, there was a hail of cheers for Rick Lewis, who was the originator of the Parade's Whoville celebration 15 years ago. This was soon after Washingtonville suffered some of its most dangerous flooding in recent years.... floods that are remembered not as much for the damage they made to homes, roads and infrastructure, but for the spirit of the people who rebuilt and poured resources into better management of the incoming water deluges from the Moodna Creek and drainage from Schunnemunk Ridge. Stormwater drainage systems have since become part and parcel of Blooming Grove and Washingtonville's way of life.
After the handsome steed "Duncan" paraded down Main Street with his precious cargo (having already spent a long day of offering carriage rides to eager and very happy families), the parade of the region's firetrucks and business vehicles and floats began. It was both beautiful and fun, and especially touching to see the distances from which they came to make some GRAND fun. And the Police and Firemen were obviously having as much fun as the crowds. One police vehicle made a remarkable attempt at blitzing the vehicle's siren in time with the music of the moment, "We wish you a Merry Christmas". Others threw candies all over the streeets. Still other of the vehicles streamed bubbles (some of which seemed to have a magical staying power, floating around for longer than seemed possible), and many of the firetrucks and local business vehicles made weaving turns as they came through Village Center, to make sure everyone could get a clear look.
The mood got more and more excited as Santa's arrival got closer.
Giving joy and safety is what police officers and firefighters do, so perhaps it should not be surprising...but from Pocotello, Highland Engine, Cronomer Valley, Woodbury, Slate Hill, and of course Salisbury Mills, Independence and Monell ....JUST to name a few, they all brought joy. The Orange County Hazmat vehicle was there as well, along with Blooming Grove and other Ambulance and safety organizations. The massive work and time contribution is symbolic both of these groups dedication to the community, and to their own brotherhood...which is quite remarkable.
Then Santa came! With music from DJ Jeff Blizzard keeping everything lively (many could not help singing along). A young man standing beside me was so engaged with the firetrucks and floats that I don't think he missed a single cheer or wave to the firemen the entire time.
Eventually the Parade began to wind up, but the crowd was still very excited, especially since two of the biggest moments were still to come - Lighting of the Tree (accompanied by a deafening roar of cheers), and Santa's chat with the youngsters in McLaughlin Square. Possibly the most fun moment of the evening is when the Grinch gave Santa a big burlap bag of Letters to Santa.
He asked the youngsters "Who would like to pick one of the Letters to Santa?" A whole line of young girls' arms shot up, "Me, Me, Me!"
Washingtonville Mayor Tom DeVinko had been visiting with all of the people in
McLaughlin Square and chatting with DJ Jeff Blizzard. He usually presses the
button to light up the tree, but this year they chose one of the young girls,
and she was the one who made the magic of the Christmas Tree Lights happen.
Anyone either during the day or when the Parade was over was invited
to "Firehouse" for libations, some comforting warmth, sensory-friendly atmosphere and music.
