Though no one seems to enjoy the colder nights and shorter days, something that is welcomed this time of year is our Town’s yearly holiday traditions. The Maynard Holiday Stroll, the Menorah lighting and of course, my personal favorite the Maynard Holiday Parade. There is something for everyone in December in Maynard. 

This year will be the 59th year of the Maynard Holiday Parade. Created by the wonderful Phil Bohunicky “Fleepo the Clown” in December of 1966, the organization of the Holiday Parade has been passed down to different committees throughout the years including the Rotary Club, the Maynard Fire and Police Departments and now a group of dedicated Maynard residents, family and friends. Featuring dozens of Maynard businesses and organizations, local bands including Maynard’s own wonderful Maynard High School Band, Town Officials, Town Hall employees, School Department personnel, scouts, bands, costumed characters; the list goes on and on.

Long standing traditions included in the parade continue with a town favorite brought back 5 years ago by the current committee; Santa Claus’s welcome fly over via helicopter. The excitement in the children’s eyes when they realize Santa is in the helicopter flying over to welcome the crowd is incredible to witness. The classic car show featuring many beloved vehicles from numerous car owners in town will once again feature Maynard’s favorite antique car, Leapin’ Lena. You will remember Lena has been jumping and tipping on Maynard’s streets since the 60s. You will hear her coming down Main Street the entire way. She knows how to make an entrance for sure! Owned by Bob Lalli Jr., we are happy to have Lena back again this year. 

Holiday Village

This year will be the second year of the Holiday Village in Memorial Park. The Holiday Village opens at 12:00 on parade day. There will be face painting, Write a letter to Santa, s’mores and numerous holiday and craft vendors. Food trucks in the area featuring Maynard’s own Periquos Tacos, Texas BBQ, Muddy Coffee Roasters and Huckleberry Bakes gluten free items will be available for purchase.

Our Grand Marshal this year will be a family favorite Vic Lalli; aka Mister Vic, Maynard’s favorite children’s musician. 

Guests of Honor will include: 

*Joshua Morse, town volunteer, as well as our favorite explanation extraordinaire. 

*Sarah Cressy, who you will know as the organizer of our favorite Fall events; Maynardfest and Downtown Trick or Treat. 

*Bob McCarthy, town volunteer and one of the creators of the new Maynard online newspaper, The Maynard Voice. 

Food Drive

The annual food drive, which collects food for our most vulnerable residents who struggle with food security, will restock the shelves of the Maynard Food Pantry, The Maynard Backpack Program and Open Table. Now more than ever these fabulous organizations could use your extra support. Please see a list below of items that these organizations have listed as items that are needed most. If you are able, please consider bringing at least one of these items with you on parade day. The food collection descends the parade route prior to the

parade, leaving the Mill lot at 1:50pm. Volunteers will pick up donations along the route. 

● Spam, Chili, Sloppy Joe Mix 

● Baked Beans 

● Hearty soups (Progresso/Campbell’s) 

● Juice Boxes 

● Canned Fruits (peaches, pears, mixed fruit, pineapple) 

● Hot Chocolate 

● Cereals ~ especially Honey Nut Cheerios, Cheerios, Rice Krispies 

● Oatmeal Packets 

● Granola Bars 

● Cereal Bars 

Things to know for parade day

Schedule: 

*Maynard Holiday Village opens at 12:00pm *Santa fly over at 1:45pm 

*The Annual Maynard Holiday Food Drive leaves the Mill lot of 1:50pm 

*The 59th Maynard Holiday Parade leaves the Mill lot at 2pm

Also, we want to encourage folks to spread out on the parade route for safety. Each year the area around CVS down to Sanctuary becomes very congested and with moving vehicles passing through we want to make sure parade goers are not entering the street area. We would like to encourage folks to utilize all of the parade route for viewing which begins on Sudbury Street and goes down Main Street, Summer Street and Nason Street as well. 

As in previous years there will be a sensory friendly zone on Nason Street where cars and bands have been asked to not rev their engines, play loud music or put sirens on. This will provide a quieter parade experience for our sensory sensitive parade goers. 

The Maynard Holiday Parade Committee would like to take this moment to thank all of our incredible Sponsors, without them the 59th Maynard Holiday Parade would not be possible.

Also a special thank you to our good friends Chris and Carolyn DiSilva who donate the insurance to the parade each year. This is not only a great cost, but also time consuming getting information together each year. We appreciate them so much for partnering with us and being a great friend to our committee. 

Most of all thank you so much to our Chief of Police, Christopher Troiano, Deputy Chief Michael Sutherland, Fire Chief Angela Lawless, DPW Director Justin DeMarco and all of our incredible Police Officers, Fire Department staff and DPW staff. Also our town hall staff including Greg Johnson Town Admin, all of Select Board and Greg Wilson for their support and approvals. Everyone sees a parade on parade day, but there is an incredible amount of planning that our committee does months beforehand to pull off the best, and most importantly, safest event with our fabulous departments above. Without these wonderful people working

together we could never achieve what we do on parade day. Thank you to each and every one of them from the bottom of our hearts. Do me a favor on parade day and thank them when you see them. They all work so hard with us to make this happen for our Town. 

We can not wait to see you on parade day. The countdown is on!!!! 

If anyone would like to become an Official Sponsor or donate to the parade please contact Jen at [email protected] 

Sunday Dec 14th is the prescheduled rain/snow date. 

Please keep an eye on our Official Website LightuptheholidaysMaynard.com for updates and any changes in plan. Also please join the Facebook site on @59th Maynard Holiday Parade for alerts on parade details. This helps us get information out quickly to parade goers about details.