ANDOVER — Former Town Moderator and Selectman Bill Dalton said a lot has changed in town since 1955, when Andover firefighters held their first holiday parade. But one constant remains the reaction of children when they see Santa Claus riding in a ladder truck.
"Their faces just light up," said Dalton, 66, who will serve as the parade's grand marshal Sunday. "It's remained the same after all these years."
Dalton, who will ride in an antique car, recalled the annual event's humble roots, when only a few bands and firetrucks would make up the procession.
Dalton was 12 when he attended the first parade in 1955.
This year dozens of marching bands, color guards, drum and pipe bands and dance troupes from Andover and surrounding towns will take part.
"It started fairly modestly," he said. "Now, the scope of it is much larger."
This will be the first holiday parade since a $4.3 million redesign of Main Street (Route 28) was completed earlier this fall.
The parade route runs along Whittier, Elm and Main streets to Punchard Avenue.
Dalton served as town moderator from 1973 to 1978 and as a selectman from 1982 to 1988.
"There's some things that remain consistent and this is one of them," Dalton said of the parade.
"Everybody gets out and has a good time. ... It's always had a special place in the hearts of Andover residents."
54th Andover Firefighters Holiday Parade
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. Rain date is Dec. 6, 1 p.m.
Where: Whittier to Elm to Main streets to Punchard Avenue
