It began as a way to boost morale amid COVID. Now Parade of Lights is a Passaic tradition
PASSAIC — The Parade of Lights, started as a way to boost morale in the city during the lockdown last Christmas, is turning into a new holiday tradition.
"Last year we did it as a way to elevate our kids' spirits," Passaic Mayor Hector Lora said. The residents liked it, he said, and, "like a number of things, the pandemic has spawned new ideas."
Shortly before 5:30 p.m. Monday, firetrucks and a few floats, including one transporting Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and several elves, began winding their way through the city's four wards in hopes of kicking up residents' Yuletide spirits.
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This year nearby fire departments from Wayne, Totowa and West Paterson joined in the fun.
"Our chief (Paul Salomone) is Father Christmas," said Woodland Park's Ernie Barthold. "He's just one of those people who is really into Christmas."
He also foots the bill for his workers to drive trucks in parades, including Passaic's and a week earlier in Woodland Park's Christmas firetruck parade.
Brightly lighted trucks from his company, Salomone Brothers, have been spotted all around Passaic County and up and down Route 23.
To deck out a firetruck with string lights and other decorations can take a few days, Barthold said.
"These trucks have been decorated since Thanksgiving," he said.
The lights are attached to the trucks using special sticky clips that don't damage the truck's paint, said Mike Dalgakiran, a Totowa firefighter who drives a rig.
The lights also stay on the truck as it rushes out to emergency calls.
Spectators said they were in awe and surprised by the parade.
Gma Flores of Belleville was there with her son Gerard. As her son pulled her toward one of the trucks to get a better look, Flores said she was pleasantly surprised to come upon the parade in the city.
City resident Cristiana Sanchez said she follows Lora's Facebook page, where she learned of the parade. She was enjoying it with her daughter Lorely Gonzalez.
"It looked like it was going to be amazing," Sanchez said, shortly before the trucks made their way up Passaic Avenue.
"It is," she said.
Matt Fagan is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: fagan@northjersey.com
Twitter: @fagan_nj
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Parade of Lights in Passaic becoming a holiday tradition
