Calling all Christmas lovers: Quincy has opened its parade theme contest

Mary Whitfill, The Patriot Ledger
·1 min read
Santa Claus waves to the crowds from atop the Quincy Fire Department's Ladder 2 during the 68th Quincy Christmas Parade on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021.

QUINCY – Nominations for this year's Christmas parade theme are being accepted by the city's Christmas Festival Committee.

The parade theme plays a significant role in float preparation for the event each year and is chosen from residents' submissions. The theme is used in the judging of floats made by schools, businesses and local nonprofits, which compete for cash prizes.

The winner of the contest will be invited to ride in a convertible in the parade on Sunday, Nov. 27 – the weekend after Thanksgiving.

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Quincy resident Dolly Di Pesa was responsible for the themes of the last three Christmas parades: “Do You Hear What I Hear?" “Christmas Around the World" and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Barry Welch, chair of the festival committee, said Di Pesa does not plan to enter this year's contest.

Theme suggestions can be submitted through Friday, Oct. 7. Entries should be mailed to Christmas Festival Committee, 1 Merrymount Parkway, Quincy, 02170.

The committee earlier this year announced that the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band plans to participate in the parade. The band, which Welch called one of the country's "premier college marching bands," has more than 380 members.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Quincy opens theme contest for 2022 Christmas parade