Manassas Journal Messenger | Dumfries to hold 30th Christmas parade
Dumfries will hold its 30th Christmas parade Saturday. It should be its 31st but bad weather canceled the event last year.
“People really wanted to have the parade last year. Everyone was so disappointed. I was disappointed,” said Cathy Lambe, Dumfries director of community services, who organized the parade.
“Since there wasn’t a parade last year, there is a lot of excitement this year,” Lambe said.
Beginning at 1 p.m. portions of Main Street, Graham Park and Fraley Boulevard in Dumfries will be closed to traffic along the parade route, which begins at the Dumfries Town Hall and concludes at the Dumfries Shopping Center.
“It is a great community event. It is the biggest event we have in this town. It’s something everyone looks forward to,” Lambe said.
There are about 67 entries in this year’s parade.
“That’s not bad for a town with only 1.7 square miles,” Lambe said. “There is going to be a lot of floats.”
Among the highlights this year will be the Quantico Marine Corps Base Band, Lambe said.
Dumfries Town Historian Lee Lansing will be the grand marshal.
Along with the floats, there also will be dogs dressed in Santa outfits, motorcycles, high school bands, dancers, scout troops and a variety of other groups, dignitaries as well and the parade headliners — Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Watch for Mrs. Claus riding in a Corvette with Santa nearby, meeting and greeting the children along the route.
Parade-goers are encouraged to venture over to the shopping center after the parade for a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus as well a chance for children to whisper some Christmas wishes into Santa’s ear. The Clauses will be happy to pose for photos for all those bringing their own cameras, Lambe said.
“This is a good way to start the Christmas season,” Lambe said. “I love the parade. It is one of my favorite events.”