Reprinted from The Packet, December 7, 2015
by Lester Green
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus wave to the crowd as the parade makes its way from Southport to Long Beach. (photo credit Lester Green)
It was the fourth annual Christmas parade in the Southwest Arm and according to the organizers — the Sou’West Arm Recreation Committee — it was the biggest to date.
This year’s event on Sunday, Dec. 6, was a lighted parade. In the past three years the parade was held during the daytime. This year, organizers wanted a Christmas celebration that they refer to as a “Festival of Lights.”
Ten floats — created by businesses, organization and families — participated in the parade, which started at the Southport/Gooseberry Cove intersection and travelled to Long Beach, winding through the communities of Southport, Gooseberry Cove, Butter Cove, Little Heart’s Ease, Caplin Cove and Hodge’s Cove along the way.
Floats featured characters that ranged from modern day minions to traditional mummers and elves.
Santa and Mrs. Claus could be seen waving to the crowd and shouting “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Members of the Sou’west Arm Recreation Committee were extremely pleased with the number of floats.
This was the second year that the committee collected for the Ronald McDonald House in St. John’s. A variety of household goods, along with $500 was donated by the crowds that gathered along the route to watch the parade pass by.
Organizers are eagerly looking forward to next year with one Christmas wish “the growing trend of lighted floats continues.”
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