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Community Corner

Children, Parents Alike, Brave Cold to See Santa Parade Down Main Street

Annual parade sponsored by Riverhead Lions Club.

Riverhead Lions Club annual Christmas Parade kicked off at 1:oo p.m. on Sunday at the Suffolk County Historical Society. The parade was lead by the Riverhead VFW NY Post 2476, followed by representatives of the Lions Club and several other civic organizations.

VFW member Dan Oliver said he remembers coming to the parade for 60 years. The Lions Club was established in 1947.  

Around 12:30 everyone started gathering, bundled up and ready to face the cold to kick off the Holiday Season, while the streets were lined with onlookers. Braving the cold mid-30's temperatures, marching in the parade, among others, were more than 10 Girl Scout troops, the Riverhead High School Marching Band, the Moose Lodge Classic Car Club, the Long Island Antique Power Association, and of course, the highlight of every Main Street, U.S.A. parade - the shiny fire red trucks blowing their horns preceeded by the brave men and volunteers of the entire Riverhead Fire Department. Marie Brophy of the Guide Dog Foundation even brought her new puppy out. And of course, last, but not least, was Santa, in a White Mustang Coupe.

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The parade turned down McDermott Street and ended at the bandshell set up behind the old Sweezey's. Children were lined up waiting to meet Santa there and take a picture. Before they did, there was a brief ceremony during which the Lions Club presented Santa with the Key to Riverhead. Then the children all got to tell Santa what they wanted and the Lions Club gave out coloring books and trinkets to all the children. A cold day perhaps, but the children were all smiling.  

The annual Lions Club Parade is held the first Sunday of December, with a rain of the 2nd Sunday. 

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