[ad_1]
WEST CHESTER—Despite a forecast of rain and temperatures in the mid-forties, thousands of paradegoers packed borough streets Friday night to experience the magic of Christmas.
It was if Santa had sprinkled magic dust on West Chester; minutes prior to the start of the parade, the rain tapered off and completely stopped for the duration of the festive event.
The annual tree lighting also took place prior to the parade start on the lawn of the Historic Chester County Courthouse.
Also, earlier in the evening, across the street from the courthouse at the Chester County Community Foundation, seven “Little Lincolns,” all middle schoolers, put on their best Lincoln attire and proudly recited the Gettysburg Address.
Most of the little Lincolns wore top hats and beards. Eighth grader and Fugett Middle Schooler Andrew Chew said that his mock beard was “kinda itchy.”
The top three finishers who recited the Gettysburg Address were winner Adwaith Shamjith, Dane Bellucci, who also picked up the prize for best costume, and in third place Katei Keller.
State Sen. Carolyn Comitta was dressed like she might have done in Lincoln’s time.
“This is a tradition for generations,” she said. “All the people and businesses of West Chester come together to celebrate our young people—especially our Little Lincolns—everyone comes together to celebrate our community and the holidays.”
Santa brought up the tail end of the parade, after following 3,000 participants and 70 parade elements, including the region’s top marching bands, dance teams, cheer squads and choirs.
Considering the earlier rain, West Chester Townie Tod Benedict was pleased that it wasn’t snowing.
Nine-year old Stella Ribera rode in from Newcastle to see the parade.
“Wow! Nice!” the fourth grader exclaimed.
Eric Grossbernot, of East Pikeland, said that the parade put him into the holiday spirit, with a transition from Thanksgiving.
Eight-year old Linia Dziak and her twin brother hail from Uwchlan Township. Linia likes the parade’s music and wants clothes, especially a pair of bell bottom pants, from Santa. Her brother liked the custom cars and trucks and wants socks.
Mayor Lillian DeBaptiste said the parade is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.
“It’s West Chester at its finest—the joy, the community and the comradery,” DeBaptiste said.
West Chester University Director of Athletic Bands Adam Gumble said that the Christmas Parade performance was the marching band’s final appearance prior to the Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.
“It’s always such a very special moment for the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band to play in our hometown’s holiday parade,” Gumble said. “It’s a tradition that all of our students and staff look forward to and enjoy.
“This year was particularly special because we played the songs that we will feature in our upcoming Rose Parade performance. We wanted our community to be the first to hear!”
Katie Walker is President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has been working on parade preparations for several months.
“The crowd was electric, and so were the almost 3,000 parade participants, with double the number of marching bands from previous years,” Walker said. “This is only the beginning!
“The West Chester Christmas Parade is always the highlight of West Chester’s six weekends of free, family-friendly holiday festivities, now through New Year’s during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester.”
Michael J. Duncan is President and CEO of the Chester County Hospital, which is the presenting sponsor of the festivities.
“When we decided to commit to another year as title sponsor of the parade as well as West Chester’s holiday lights festivities all month long, we knew it would be a resounding success,” Duncan said. “Happy Holidays to our community, from everyone at Chester County Hospital and the Penn Medicine Health System!”
Karen Simmons is CEO and President of the Chester County Community Foundation and hosted the Little Lincolns.
“I adore when people come out and celebrate the brightness of the holidays and catch up with old friends and meet new ones,” she said.
[ad_2]
Source_link
