SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — Santa Clause came to town and the hundreds of people lined up to see him didn’t let anything rain on their parade, not even a little rain.
As it drizzled, sleigh bells filled the streets of Scranton during the 31st annual Santa parade.
Usually held the week after Thanksgiving, this year the organizers of the parade moved it to the week before the holiday and on Saturday, Scrantonians of all ages got in the holiday spirit and lined up for blocks to cheer on the parade that spread jolly tidings – and candy – throughout downtown.
“This sort of reminds me of back home in New York and the Thanksgiving parade out in the city there. So, this definitely reminds me of it. But at least here, I love it here because you can get a lot closer to the parade. Yeah, I love it,” said attendee Albert Figueroa.
When Figueroa was asked if he was going to keep coming back every year, he responded, “Of course! I’m going to come here, every year, until the end of time.”
During the nearly two hour long parade every aspect of the greater Scranton area was represented. High school bands blew their horns, dance troupes jingle bell rocked, local businesses threw out candy, classic Christmas characters waved, teams led parade floats down the streets, and even furry friends, pets that were typical and atypical (a very well-mannered pig on a leash) , made everyone smile. A true Scranton smorgasbord.
Each part of the parade was someone’s favorite. Some loved the dancers, some loved the floats and sets, and almost every kid said they loved all the candy.
At the end, Jolly ol’ Saint Nick himself made an appearance in a horse-drawn carriage and as he wished kids a merry Christmas, the clouds seemingly parted revealing sunshine on a rainy overcast day as soon as he joined the parade – a true Christmas miracle – only 34 days early.
The Scranton Santa parade wasn’t just a celebration of the holidays and everything that comes with them. It was a celebration of Scranton and all the fun, amazing, and wacky things that makes the electric city, for lack of a better term, electric.
We can’t wait for Santa to come back next year.