Holiday happenings: Hampton, Exeter ring in the season with parades and Santa

Seacoast residents have a double opportunity for fun on Saturday, Dec. 3, when two local communities bring the season’s greetings to their streets with holiday parades in Hampton at 1 p.m. and Exeter at 5:30 p.m.

Hampton Holiday Parade: ‘It’s Only a Movie’

This year the Hampton Holiday Parade is themed “It’s Only a Movie” in honor of the late Desi Lanio, former co-owner of Route 1's 401 Tavern.

Lanio, who died earlier this year, was known for his behind-the-scenes good works for many charities and worthy causes, running countless fundraisers, helping relaunch the Hampton Holiday Parade and once rallying locals to fill an 18-wheel truck with goods for Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston.

The parade’s theme recalls Lanio’s signature “hang 10” hand signal, which he flashed to anyone who took his photo, always adding that life “is only a movie.”

According to a parade organizer, Dean Merrill, this year’s parade grand marshal is Tracey Dewhurst, owner of High Street’s Victoria Inn and the Victoria’s Kitchen, on Route 1.

“Tracey is a great selection,” Merrill said. “Tracey’s a very quiet lady but she does a lot of things for the community and through her help of nonprofits. She’ll have events at her Victoria Inn to raise funds for them. When we told her she was grand marshal, she was excited.”

Dewhurst will get to ride in very special transport during the parade, according to Merrill.

“She’ll ride in a 1948 Pontiac convertible,” Merrill said.

The parade steps off at 1 p.m. at the Hampton/North Hampton town line by the railroad bridge on Route 1 (Lafayette Road) and follows the roadway to end at Winnacunnet Road.

Anywhere along the route spectators will see another guest of honor, Santa Claus, as well as enjoy dozens of floats, parade units and the rousing sounds of marching bands, Merrill said.

“Presently we have six bands confirmed and we’re waiting on two more,” Merrill said. “We have bands confirmed from Winnacunnet High School, the Boston Firemen, the Police Pipes & Drums, Spaulding High School, the University of New Hampshire Color Guard and N.H. Pipes and Drums.”

For those organizations or groups who would like to march in the parade, there’s still time to sign up, Merrill said. Just go to https://www.experiencehampton.org/, click on Holiday Parade across the top, then scroll down to click on the application form.

Experience Hampton organizes the parade, raising funding for it over the year and at its Charity Golf Tournament each year.

Exeter Holiday Parade: ‘Toys, Trains and Candy Canes’

Not long after Hampton’s parade is put to bed, the Exeter Holiday Parade will step off from the Osram property on Portsmouth Avenue at 5:30 p.m., winding its way to High Street, passing the Bandstand on Water Street before ending along Swasey Parkway.

This year’s theme is “Toys, Trains and Candy Canes,” according to spokesman Mark Ericson. Special visitors include Santa Claus as well as some other holiday favorites, like Snoopy and the Grinch.

Another honoree at the parade will be the Exeter Area Garden Club, named the 2022 Exeter Holiday Parade grand marshals. Joining Santa and the Garden Club will be marching bands, floats from community groups and businesses, as well as many other familiar faces.

The event will have some longtime favorite parade units, Ericson said, including the Seacoast School of Technology and the Future Farmers of America, the Exeter High School Marching Band, the UNH Winter Guard Flag Team, and appearing for the first time this year, the Boston Windjammers Marching Band.

It isn’t too late to join in this 60-year-old-plus holiday tradition, according to Ericson. Parade participant registration is available online at www.exeternhholidayparade.com. The parade route and other information is also available there.

Parade enthusiasts may follow the parade at the Exeter Holiday Parade Facebook page for the latest information.

The parade will be live-streamed on Exeter TV. Viewers can search online for Exeter TV on YouTube or access the stream on the @ExeterTV page on Facebook. Additionally, Comcast customers can see the parade live on Comcast Channels 22 and 98 in Exeter or on Channel 13 in all SAU 16 towns.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Holiday happenings: Hampton, Exeter ring in season with parades, Santa