NORTH ANDOVER — Extra marching bands and floats will make this year's holiday parade bigger than ever, organizers said. And they said the food collection during the parade will make it better.
"Kids from St. Michael's will be walking along the parade route with wagons, collecting food," police Sgt. E.J. Foulds said. "It worked really well last year."
"We wanted to give back," he said, noting the food will be distributed to local food pantries.
Saturday's parade, expected to last about an hour, steps off at noon. Marchers will wind their way on Main Street from North Andover Middle School at Route 125 to Sutton Street.
As in the past, the North Andover High School band and Clan MacPherson pipe and drum band will perform.
New this year will be a performance by the Pentucket Regional High School band from West Newbury.
Seven to eight floats will be in the parade.
"We'll have two to three times the floats we normally have," Foulds said.
Foulds credits the changes with the newly formed North Andover Merchants Association.
"Businesses in town are getting more involved this year," he said.
Dancers from Nancy Chippendale's Dance Studios and North Andover School of Dance will kick up their heels to holiday tunes, too.
The North Andover chorus will sing carols, followed by several antique cars.
And, of course, Santa will bring up the rear in a shiny town firetruck, lead by the North Andover High cheerleaders.
Foulds expects the parade to grow as the police association, festival committee and merchants association work together.
"Next year, we hope to have something even bigger."
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North Andover Holiday Parade
When: Saturday, noon
Where: Main Street, from Route 125 to Sutton Street
Best place to watch: The upper end of Main Street is less crowded. The library and downtown gets packed.
Best place to park: First & Main Marketplace, library and municipal lot behind Town Hall.
Food drive: Canned goods will be collected along the route or may be dropped off at the following businesses: Main Street Hardware, Stachey's Olde-Time Pizzeria, Top Notch Cuts, Fitness Together, Kids Karousel, Rolph's Tavern, Sovereign Bank, Jane on a Budget, McAloon's Liquors, Butcher Boy, Wiggles and Jiggles Petcare, Fabulous Findz, Beabe Gallery and Quic Pic Convenience.
