Chilly rains couldnt dampen Christmas spirit at New Phila parade
by Jennifer Kneuss
December 10, 2012
360
Summary: Umbrellas were everywhere during the New Philadelphia annual Christmas parade, but crowds still lined the streets as people gathered to celebrate the holiday season.
It was definitely not the driest Christmas parade ever, but on the other hand, it was not the coldest, either. Temperatures bordered on balmy in spite of the steady rain that failed to dampen the Christmas spirit during New Philadelphias Dec. 7 parade.
We had over 50 units in tonights parade, commented Gary Petricola, who announced the evenings parade entries. Even with the rain, we had a good turnout and a good response. A lot of people were on the floats, too. I was real pleased with it, and Ill tell you, a lot of efforts from a lot of people helped make it successful. It was a great parade tonight, even though the weather was bad. Ive seen colder ones, wetter ones, snowier ones, and warmer ones, he chuckled. I just like parades. I was in my high school band, and we loved parades.
Petricola credited the many whose efforts made the parade a success. I had great help tonight with Carol Dawson, who was my spotter. And I cant say enough about Sam Hitchcock, because he put up the speakers, provided sound from the New Philadelphia kids who were singing on the square before the parade. Parades are fun to do, and I enjoy them. I dont know how long I have been doing them, but its been a long time. I just appreciate that everyone loves a parade. He also credited the parade sponsor, the non-profit New Philadelphia Business and Community Association (NPBCA) and its administrative director, Diane Lautenschleger, for the hours of effort that went into the event.
For the second year, houses along the North Broadway parade route competed for the honor of being the best decorated home. Judges Lois Porrazzo, Sharon Rostad, and Clayton Waldschlager of Barnett Realty chose 923 N. Broadway as the winning property, with the grand prize package of a one night stay from Hampton Inn, 2 tickets to see Manheim Steamroller courtesy of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, a gift certificate from Millers Clothing, a Bible from Dayspring Christian Bookstore, a gift card from Daily Grind cafe, a crystal snowflake ornament from Cinzia, plus a bottle of olive oil from OV Harvest and a tote bag from PNC Bank.
Glow sticks shimmering along the parade route were purchased by Authentic Church and were sold by New Philadelphia High School students, with all proceeds going to the ongoing work of the NPBCA, while Kavadas Photography volunteered to take pictures of little ones with Santa at the after-parade reception at the First United Church of Christ in New Philadelphia. Barnett Realtors made Santas parade and post parade appearances possible.
We had about 225 people at the church enjoying hot cocoa from New Philadelphias Bob Evans Restaurant and 30 dozen cookies from Magoos Restaurant, as well as cookies donated by the church, said Lautenschleger. Leftover cookies were taken to the New Philadelphia and Dover fire departments.
We were watching the parade, standing along the parade route and having a lovely time, said David Worth at the cookie reception. We are at every parade, brought by this young man, Alec Worth, he admitted, as he gestured toward his son. I cant remember a year we have ever missed. We usually walk in the parade with the church, passing out candy, but because of the rain this year they decided not to do that.
I love parades! added Alec enthusiastically. I like the candy, the candy the candy and the floats!
The parade is absolutely a wonderful community partnership. Individuals, businesses, churches and civic groups step up with floats and other parade entries – it really is unifying. We had commercial floats, queens, Scouts, you name it; they were in the parade. NPBCA likes knowing we are contributing to the quality of life and quality of business, Lautenschleger commented. A whole plethora of individuals and groups are involved, and they all work really hard. Even in the rain, it was still successful.
