Lifestyle

A fresh coat; Santa's reindeer get spiffed up for this year's Merrimac parade

Santa's reindeer get spiffed up for this year's Merrimac parade

By Danielle Rines
Staff writer
Published: November 27, 2009

They've been shuttling Santa around the town of Merrimac year after year. And frankly, the jolly old man's team of reindeer was starting to look a little haggard.

So they checked themselves into the workshop for a little old-fashioned R & R — which, in their case, amounted to refurbishing and repainting.

Next weekend, Santa's reindeer will re-emerge with fresh faces and coats brushed with a new, high luster — just in time for the annual Merrimac Santa Parade, which is set for Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m.

"They've been re-groomed, sanded down and repainted," Tom Jordan, who has been involved with the Merrimac Santa Parade since the early 1970s, said of the reindeer. "They needed some repairs, which took us about five or six nights with prep work, and there was about eight of us; it took a lot of man hours."

Merrimac's parade dates back to 1949 when a small car, a few marchers and a borrowed trailer pulling Santa and his sleigh decorated with greens made their way up Route 110 from Skip's Snack Bar to the town square and back.

Masonite reindeer were added to the sleigh starting around 1952 or 1953. And in addition to pulling Santa's sleigh for the holiday parade, the reindeer began taking Santa on what became his annual Christmas Eve ride down almost every street in town — a tradition organized by the Merrimac Santa Parade Committee that remains in place today.

The mid-1960s saw the arrival of the current team of reindeer, as well as a dedicated trailer to haul the guest of honor. The most famous reindeer of them all — the red-nosed Rudolph — joined the contingent in 1989.

Thelma Gibbs, another member of the Merrimac Santa Parade Committee, said a lot of the group's money this year has gone to fixing up the reindeer.

"They've been around a long time," she said. "We're not changing them. We're very proud of them and want to keep them that way."

In past years, the parade committee has focused its energies on restoring the original sleigh that's been in service since 1949. The trailer has also been updated with new decking, electrical and sound system and lighting.

The Merrimac Santa Parade hasn't had an uninterrupted ride through town. From its humble start, the parade grew well into the 1950s and 1960s, with new pieces and attractions added every year. However, rising costs and appearance fees charged by participants put a halt to the parade in 1971. It returned in 1984 for good.

Calling it a team effort, Jordan said the parade is a year-round project by the Santa Committee. This year's reindeer reconditioning has involved many volunteers. He especially credits Loren Clark, who has been dubbed "the head shepherd," because he rounded up all the reindeer and was "the instrument behind the whole thing." Jordan also singled out Jim Smith, who worked on the reindeer 20 years ago and was back at it this year to assist with the detail work as part of the restoration.

While Santa and his sleigh pulled by reindeer are the main attractions, the 2009 Merrimac Santa Parade — with the theme "Christmas Memories" — has a lot more in store for onlookers.

A dozen floats are already on board, including the Garden Club's "An Old-Fashioned Tree-Trimming Party," Amelia's Hair Salon's "A White Christmas," Jewett Real Estate's "Home Sweet Home" and the Girl Scouts' "Christmas Cookies." Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School's "Hot Dogs in the Old Shoe Town" float, which won the grand prize in last weekend's Haverhill VFW Santa Parade, will make the trip to Merrimac as well.

"It's always big and beautiful" Gibbs said of the floats Whittier creates every year. "Those kids always put so much into it."

The entertainment won't stop at the floats. There will be marching bands from Pentucket Regional High School and other area schools, a fife and drum corps and Dick Kaplan's Excellent Jazz Band, as well as antique cars, the Shriners' mini cars, two horse hitches from Kimball Farm in Haverhill and ponies from J & J Ponies in Groveland. And don't forget the costumed characters, from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Sponge Bob and the Red Sox's Wally the Green Monster.

"The characters intermingle with the crowd and talk to the children," Gibbs said. "I think the children look forward to that part as well."

The committee is still seeking additional floats and invites anyone participating in the Amesbury Santa Parade the day before on Dec. 5 to join Merrimac's procession as well.

Come Dec. 6, Gibbs said the reindeer will be ready to go, with Rudolph's nose ever so red and bright leading the way. She said her committee likes to think Merrimac hosts one of the best holiday parades in the area.

"Seeing the joy on the kids' faces is something I look forward to," she said.

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To sign up a float, suggest fundraising ideas or join the Merrimac Santa Committee, contact Thelma Gibbs at 978-346-9486.

SANTA SIGHTINGS

It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays. Many local communities are celebrating the season with Santa parades, tree lightings and other holiday events. Here's a look at what's planned:

Seabrook Tree Lighting

The fifth annual Seabrook Lions Club Tree Lighting and Sing-along takes place tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seabrook Town Hall, 99 Lafayette Road. The Seabrook School Chorus will perform Christmas carols and children are encouraged to bring homemade, weather-resistant holiday ornaments to put on the Christmas tree in front of Town Hall with the assistance of the Seabrook Fire Department. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be on hand, and children can take a ride on the Santa mobile, courtesy of L & W Auto Repair. Following the lighting, refreshments will be served at the Trinity Parish House across the street from Town Hall.

Newburyport Santa Parade

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in the most appropriate way for Newburyport — by U.S. Coast Guard boat — on Sunday at 3 p.m. The couple from the North Pole will dock at the boardwalk and then join a procession into downtown Newburyport for the tree lighting and carol sing in Market Square at 4 p.m.

Salisbury Tree Lighting

The annual tree lighting takes place Sunday at 6 p.m. in Salisbury Square. The Salisbury Elementary School Advanced Band and Choir will perform. Refreshments will follow the caroling and tree lighting at East Parish United Methodist Church adjacent to town square.

Newburyport Invitation Nights

Enjoy merchant hospitality, live entertainment and the spirit of the holidays throughout downtown Newburyport and The Tannery on Water Street on Fridays, Dec. 4 and 11, from 6 to 9 p.m.

NEWBURYPORT Santa's Workshop

Children can visit Santa in his workshop on Inn Street in downtown Newburyport and tell him their Christmas wishes on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. starting Dec. 5 through 20.

Amesbury Santa Parade

The annual Santa Parade will wind its way through downtown Amesbury on Saturday, Dec. 5, starting at 3:30 p.m. The tree lighting in Market Square and the annual Provident Bank Community Open House will follow the parade.

Amesbury Invitation Nights

Participating stores will be open for holiday cheer on Saturdays, Dec. 5 and 12, from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 18, from noon to 5 p.m.

MERRIMAC SANTA PARADE

The parade steps off Sunday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m., and will follow the usual route, starting from the Sweetsir School, traveling south on Church Street into the town square, turning onto West Main Street, and then ending at the Donaghue School.

NEWBURY TREE LIGHTING

The annual Christmas tree lighting and holiday festivities take place Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3:30 p.m. at the upper green on High Road.

MERRIMAC TREE LIGHTING

Santa will flick the switch on the tree in Kimball Park at the corner of Union and West Main streets on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 5 p.m. There will be music and character appearances, and cocoa and cookies will be served. Bring your own camera to get a photo of the kids on Santa's lap. The event is hosted by the Merrimac Light Department.

MERRIMAC CHRISTMAS EVE

Santa will leave the Merrimac Fire Station on his journey down almost every street in town at 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24. Listen for the police car siren and Santa will be close behind.