Christmas parade brings out revelers, demonstrators
Marching bands, soft pretzel vendors and protesting firefighters all congregated on Market Street in downtown Wilmington Saturday morning for a parade celebrating the start of the winter holiday season.
Hundreds from northern Delaware attended the event, sponsored by the Wilmington Jaycees, an organization that teaches business leadership skills to young people. The parade is in its 53rd year.
Some attendees wrapped themselves in blankets to protect against the chilly air. Many were excited to see the music and dance groups perform along Wilmington's main commercial strip.
Mariam Gharib, a University of Delaware graduate student from Kenya, had never witnessed a parade before Saturday. She was impressed by the many children dancing to music played by passing marching bands, and by the large Clydesdale horses trotting along the parade route, she said.
“When I came here, I didn’t know that they (Delawareans) have as much fun as they do," said Gharib, who studies agricultural research economics.
Another spectator, Tracy Sauls of Newark, attended the parade with her three grandchildren who sat eating cotton candy, and hoping to catch a glimpse of cartoon characters Bob the Builder, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
"They’re actually waiting to see the cartoon characters," Sauls said. “We normally come every year.”
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The parade's attendees help downtown Wilmington in its revitalization process, said Will Minster, director of business development at Downtown Visions, as police officers on motorcycles rode along the parade route.
That in turns boosts the bottom line of local businesses, he said.
"A lot of people only come (to Wilmington) for things of this nature," said Minster. "People come down and say, ‘wow, what are people talking about. I thought downtown Wilmington was bad.’ But no, it’s great.”
Also lining the parade route on Market Street were Wilmington firefighters, demonstrating against the city's recent decision to keep certain fire trucks idle in order to save on overtime costs. Tim Taggart, vice president of Wilmington firefighters Local 1590, was handing out fliers about the issue to passersby.
He noted the policy was in place during the night of a deadly Canby Park rowhome fire that claimed the lives of two firefighters.
“Firetrucks will be shut down in a neighborhood that deserves a firetruck," he said.
Performers arrived along the parade route at 9 a.m., two hours before the start of the parade. Bands warmed up their instruments, and dancers stretched.
The Golden Fierce Dance Team, made of up boys and girls aged 5 to 17 years old, were preparing for their "Jingle Bell Rock" dance interpretation. Sandy Johnson, director of the group, said the performance helps the young people in the group face a difficult crime situation in Wilmington.
“Everything that’s been going on in the city, they want to come and make a change with that," Johnson said.
Contact Karl Baker at kbaker@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2329. Follow him on Twitter @kbaker6.