Annual Newton Holiday Parade Wows Crowd (Photos and Video Included)
Santa atop the Newton Fire Department ladder truck waves to the crowd. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
NEWTON, NJ – The yearly Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce (GNCC) Holiday Parade had many attendees stating it was the “best they’d seen yet,” this morning in the Town of Newton’s Downtown.
The parade lasted about 45 minutes and made its way down Spring Street to Moran Street with many surprises for the approximate 1,000 in attendance. Newton’s Police Chief Michael Richards led the procession from the lower half of Spring Street, followed by a crew carrying flags and then Newton High School’s Marching Band.
At the start of the parade. Newton High School’s Marching Band follows the scouts. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The crowd eagerly awaits the parade procession. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
From left to right: Councilman Wayne Levante, Councilwoman Kristen Becker and Mayor Dan Flynn. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Queen of the Fair. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Miss Newton waves to the crowd. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Queens wave and toss candy to children waiting on the sidelines. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Convertibles carry some of the Sussex County “Miss” title holders. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Others in attendance were: town dignitaries (Mayor Dan Flynn, Councilman Wayne Levante and Councilwoman Kristen Becker), Miss Newton, the Queen of the Fair, other Sussex County Beauty Queens, area Girl and Boy Scouts, vintage cars, D’Marge Dance Studios performing a Rockette-esque tap number in front of the Springboard Shoppes, members of the Auxilium School, 200 Club, 4-H, the Seeing Eye, four-legged friends of all types, Christ Community Church’s band, Kittatinny Regional High School Marching Band, and much more.
Emcee Mark Hontz. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The “Back to the Future” Delorean. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The D’Marge Dance Studio Dancers. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Vintage autos make their way down Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
An old-fashioned Christmas Tree Truck in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sussex County Miners Mascot. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Sussex County Miners in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Dancing and fun were on the parade agenda. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The 200 Club trailer in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of Newton’s finest on the side of the 200 Club trailer. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
All branches of Emergency Services represented on the back of the 200 Club trailer. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Girl Scouts from various troops make their way down Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Girl Scouts attired in holiday pajamas march in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Girl Scouts and a castle float on Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A castle float with smoke coming from its turrets was one of the highlights. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Festive elves make their way down Spring Street aboard a float. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Kittatinny Regional High School Marching Band twirling flags and playing festive songs as they make their way through the crowd. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Newton Cub Scout Pack 85 leads the way for scouts. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A float with a Christmas Tree as its focal point in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of the very creative parade floats at the event. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Scouts wave from the float and toss out candy. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
More fun floats during the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of the whimsical floats at the event. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Four-legged friends were one of the highlights. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Alpaca prance down Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of the 4H Clubs. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Prior to Santa emerging on the scene in Newton’s ladder truck, Fredon and Newton Fire Departments made the procession with all of their engines, lights and sirens blaring. Next, the Franklin Band marched through to welcome Santa. Santa spent time waving to all of the families who dashed around some of the raindrops that fell this morning. The weather did not dim the spirited crowd.
One of the Christmas scenes in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
A pair of Great Danes attired smartly for the occasion. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
One of the 4H groups in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Rudolph and friends. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Land of Misfit Toys. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The “Goat Express.” Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Smiling kids sway to the music aboard their floats. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Horses trot down Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Breeders and Feeders. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
An immense rabbit carried along the parade route. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Shelton’s Shooter Club. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Furry Friends in the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Dogs from The Seeing Eye, along with therapy dogs. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
GNCC float makes its way down Spring Street. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
After Santa made a second pass, he took a seat in front of the Newton Fire Museum to allow children to visit with him. Each one received a gift at the end of their time with Santa.
Fredon Fire Department begins the procession of firetrucks. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Carl Lazzaro, Fredon Mayor and Sussex County Freeholder-elect. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Newton Fire Department. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Newton Fire Department’s vintage Mack engine. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
The Franklin Band. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
It was also Small Business Saturday and many of the shops had great promotions in honor of the shopping event, with merchants a part of the Downtown Newton Association (DNA) making plans for more upcoming events, including Noel Nights (the nights of Dec. 11 and 12, and Dec 18 and 19) and the “12 Days of Christmas” (Dec. 9-22).
“Here Comes Santa Claus!” Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Santa before he makes his second pass on Spring Street and meets children who attended the parade. Photo by Jennifer Jean Miller.
Click below for some video highlights of the parade.
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