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December 11, 2019

Parade heralds the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus—and the Christmas season

By Chris Barber Contributing writer

Kennett Square residents know by now that when a big event is coming, they can count on a parade up State Street to mark its arrival. And so it was on Black Friday, when the holiday season finally arrived.

On Nov. 29, the traditional Holiday Light Parade in Kennett Square drew thousands of spectators, who lined the sidewalks at least threedeep from Broad Street all the way down to Meredith.

The extravaganza starting time was set at 6:15 p.m., but by 5:30 people had already arrived. It was chilly, but not that cold, and a lot of people brought blankets to lay on the ground to keep their kids warm and save their places in the front row for a good view.

The sound crew had already started the music early on, so when people arrived in advance, they heard vintage Perry Como and Bing Crosby songs of the season to put them in the mood.

Ushering in the main event were dancers from Longwood Performing Arts, who performed their high-kicking, Rockettes-like show twice (once on each side of Union Street) to the lively “Jingle Bell Rock.”

It was evident that the audience was heavily balanced in favor of families with children. Young ones frolicked on the open street in front of the procession, and even babies who appeared to be experiencing their very first Christmas were present, bundled up in strollers or held tight in parents’ arms.

In keeping with the name of the parade (lights), vehicle after vehicle was decked out in bright, twinkling sparkles. Creative owners had obviously engineered systems to power up multiple lights that completely covered the cars and trucks in many cases. Even huge vehicles and floats were totally bathed in Christmas lights.

The Kennett High School Marching Band led the parade, with kids garbed in Christmas-themed outfits and even one horn player playing his sousaphone with a spiral of lights at its frame. Then came

Photos by Chris Barber Santa and Mrs. Claus sit ready for their ride into town for the tree lighting and hearing requests from children.

A long line of lighted trucks followed the marchers.

The Kennett High School Marching Band led the parade with flags and Christmas music.

The dancers from Longwood Performing Arts kicked off the evening with their rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock.”

One float featured the Kennett Square lighted mushroom, reminding spectators that New Year’s Eve was coming shortly after Christmas.

Kennett’s highly successful and winning 2019 football team followed the marching band and received applause.

Antique automobile collector Lou Mandich chauffeured Mr. and Mrs. Claus into town in his 1918 Buick.

Spectators arrived early and in great numbers to watch the parade. The crowd was three-deep along the sidewalks.

businesses, non-profits and individuals, who were a part of the parade.

Following the marchers was the barrage of vehicles so large that they merged in not only from down on State Street, but from the feeder streets like Garfield and Lincoln, as well.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, AKA Fran and Andrea Durynski, brought up the rear. They were chauffeured by local antique automobile aficionado Lou Mandich in his 1918 Buick convertible. On Thanksgiving Day, Mandich led the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade in that same car.

He told friends that he didn’t tow the car into Philadelphia from his Unionville Shop on Thanksgiving. No. He drove it both ways.

Andrea Durynski quoted him as saying, “That trip home was really cold.”

With the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in the center of town, they helped count down to the lighting of the borough tree, with much cheering all around. Then, in what spectator Kathi Lafferty described as a huge sea of humanity, hundreds of parade watchers followed like an ocean to South Broad Street, where children were invited to tell Santa and Mrs. Claus what they wanted for Christmas.

Many of the kids reportedly asked for technological toys, while others requested Legos and American Girl dolls.

In summing up her experience for her favorite evening of the year, Mrs. Claus said, “It was a real family event.”

Families, individuals, businesses and non-profits all delighted the crowd as they proceeded up State Street.

The holidays come to New Garden

This youngster was the first to share his Christmas wish list with Santa Claus.

Girl Scout Troop 4780 assisted with preparing and handing out holiday treats.

Courtney Coppock and her daughter Riley wait for Santa’s arrival at New Garden Township Park.

William Yeoward Collection, Sabre Flatware, Le Jacard Francais, Farmhouse Pottery, Laura Zindel, Match and Zafferano Glass plus Lady Fingers Fine Foods and Blackberry Farm Products

Photos by Richard L. Gaw

Keira Smith and Annie Rhodes of Girl Scout Troop 4780 stand beside Santa Claus as he awaits a long line of children and their gift requests, at festivities held at New Garden Township Park on Dec. 8.

Katie and Janey McGovern huddle with their loved ones.

Oxford shines brightly during cheery Country Christmas celebration

By Steven Hoffman Staff Writer

Santa Claus was riding atop an Oxford Union Fire Company No. 1 fire truck when he saw all the families with children lined up on Third Street to greet him. Santa waved and offered a cheerful “Ho! Ho! Ho!” before he climbed off the fire truck and started greeting all the children. Within a few minutes, Santa was inside the KVIS & Coe Insurance office, posing for pictures and listening as children shared their Christmas wishes with him. Abby, a particularly helpful elf, handed out small gifts to the children.

The appearance by Santa Claus was just one of the heartwarming moments at Oxford’s Country Christmas celebration on Dec. 6: There were children making Christmas crafts in Santa’s Workshop, carriage rides, student choirs, beautifully decorated storefronts, and much more to provide Christmas cheer to everyone at the event.

“There’s something for everyone here tonight,” observed Brian Wenzka, the

executive director of Oxford Mainstreet, Inc., which planned the celebration. “This is my favorite First Friday event, and I think it’s the community’s favorite First Friday.”

There was live music throughout the evening, including performances by the Christian Life Center Band and the Lincoln University Choir. There were hayrides and carriage rides, and the shops and restaurants in town planned special activities and offerings for the festive night.

Sue Lombardi, the president of Oxford Borough Council presided over the lighting of the town Christmas tree.

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off the holiday season,” Lombardi told the large crowd who gathered in the center of town for the tree lighting.

Once the tree was lit, families took turns posing for pictures in front of it. Mary Baringer, one of the many volunteers who helped OMI plan and stage the Oxford Country Christmas, made about 100 bows to adorn the tree.

The Christian Life Center Band led the community in singing “Silent Night,” once the tree was lit.

Oxford’s storefronts are beautifully decorated for the holidays.

Photos by Steven Hoffman

The town Christmas tree was decorated and ready to go for the tree-lighting on Dec. 6.

Santa Claus arrives in downtown Oxford.

Attendees of the event even got a sneak peak of the Shoebox Theater, the new, intimate 50-seat theater that is planned for the building at 19 South Third Street. The theater, which could open before the end of the year, hints at a cheery and bright future for Oxford Borough.

“I think this is going to be an important part of our downtown,” said Lee Archer, who has played a pivotal role in making the theater project a reality.