NORTHAMPTON — Families and children lined the streets of downtown Florence on Saturday morning to celebrate the annual Holiday Parade — an annual tradition that dates back almost three decades.
Groups of people representing various businesses marched in the parade attended by about 200 people. Representatives from the Melha Shriners of Springfield zoomed around in carts, and horses graced the route. But it was marching llamas and Santa Clause who stole the show. The parade, now in its 27th year, is organized by the Florence Civic & Business Association and celebrated each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Just before the parade began, Mayor David Narkewicz greeted gatherers, including self-proclaimed parade regular Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, and surveyed the setup.
“One of the great things about being in a community like Northampton is tradition,” Narkewicz said.
And what does the mayor anticipate most about the parade?
“For me, it’s usually seeing the kids lined up to see Santa at the end — that sense of wonder and expectation. This (parade) kind of begins the holiday season for many people.”
As he was preparing to march in the parade alongside the mayor, Rosenberg said the event, for him, marked the true start of the holidays. Rosenberg said he has participated in the festivities nearly every year since it was founded.
“It’s the start of the holiday spirit in the village,” Rosenberg said. “How many times do you get to march with llamas?”
He continued:
“Only in Northampton,” he said, laughing.
As the parade took off, a drum line near the front of the formation marched to a steady cadence, and people tossed candy and beads to cheering young parade-goers.
“It’s just a great opportunity to kick off the holidays and celebrate with local folks who are also excited about this time of year,” said Allison Garriss, of Florence.
Giving Santa a run for his money were three llamas — Moxie, Hamilton and Esmeralda — who turned heads wherever they walked. Bob Myers, 63, who runs Laurel Ledge Farm, and a group of his family and friends guided the three show-stoppers along the parade route. Children cheered and jumped up and down at the sight of llamas strutting down the streets of downtown Florence.
“Look at the llama!” a woman exclaimed to a group of youngsters. “Can you say ‘mama llama?’”
“The kids really get excited to see the llamas,” Myers said before the start of the parade. “They wave and they jump, and it’s just kind of fun to watch their expressions.”
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.