MOUNT CARMEL - The annual Santa Claus Parade - sponsored by the Mount Carmel Lions Club, the Mount Carmel Business Association and now the Mount Carmel Volunteer Fire Department - will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, in downtown Mount Carmel.
Parade co-chairmen Paul Kaminski, Mayor J. Kevin Jones and Ricky Schnee announced Santa will be led by the Mount Carmel Area High School Band and will be followed by various rescue vehicles that will be decorated in a show of colorful Christmas lights.
The traditional parade will form at Second and Oak streets, and travel on a new route: south on Oak to Seventh Street, east on Seventh to Hickory Street, south on Hickory to Third Street, west on Third to Oak Street, and then south on Oak to the Mount Carmel Public Library where Santa will distribute candy to the children.
The lighted trucks will form at 3:45 p.m. at the Mount Carmel Area High School and travel east on Sixth to Market Street, then north on Market to Second Street, west on Second to Oak Street, where they will meet up with the traditional parade by 5 p.m.
Band members will meet prior to the parade at Second and Oak streets. Any other interested participant or floats should also report to Second and Oak streets prior to 5 p.m.
Parade prizes will be awarded and additional snacks, such as hot dogs and pierogies, will be available for participants and the public at Clover Hose Fire Company. Train Land will also be open to the public.
Serving on this year's committee in addition to Kaminski, Jones and Schnee are Lions president Robert Lapinski, Michael Shannon, Jeff Kanezo, Tony Candelora, Warren Altomare, Perino Bevivino, Ray Rothermel, Dennis Stone, Mike Romance, John Kaminski, Harry Hudick Jr., Hugh A. Jones, Frank Zaleski, David Berezovski and Al Visintainer. Representing emergency services are Jack Williams Jr., Jim Williams, Jack Williams Sr., Phil Cimino, Dan Cimino, Scott Bolick, Jim Reed and Police Chief Todd Owens.
The Mount Carmel Borough Police and Auxiliary Police will also be assisting along the parade route.