Local teacher wins theme contest for Quincy Christmas Parade; city sourcing trees for the season
QUINCY – A local seventh grade teacher has come up with the winning idea for the theme of this year's Christmas parade through downtown Quincy.
This year's parade, which annually steps off the Sunday after Thanksgiving, will follow the theme "Christmas Through the Decades." Jojo Hallisey, a teacher at Central Middle School, submitted the idea.
The theme is used in the judging of floats made by schools, businesses and local nonprofits, which compete for cash prizes. Hallisey's idea earned her a seat of honor in this year's parade.
"Although times have changed, we always have the consistency of our city's Christmas parade to look forward to around the holidays," Hallisey, who watches the parade every year with friends and family, said in a statement.
In addition to teaching, Hallisey is a part-time summer clinic supervisor for the Quincy Recreation Department. She said riding in the parade will be "such an honor and also allow me to see the joy on people's faces."
Organizations, schools, nonprofits and businesses interested in participating in this year's parade, which travels the length of Hancock Street from Quincy Center to North Quincy High School, should contact the parade committee at 617-376-1251.
Coming together: $10,000 raised for Quincy couple whose Florida home was destroyed in Hurricane Ian
'Fair and equitable deal': Quincy teachers ask for higher pay, better benefits at standout
Quincy's Christmas festivities will kick off Friday, Nov. 25, with the annual tree lighting. Santa Claus will come to town at noon Nov. 26 – by helicopter – and the parade will start at noon Sunday, Nov. 27.
The city is asking for donations of trees for the annual downtown and neighborhood Christmas tree-lighting events. Every year, Quincy residents donate the trees that serve as the centerpieces for the festivities.
Quincy is looking for Norway spruce, blue spruce or other large evergreen species. Trees must range from 25 to 45 feet in height and must be in very good condition. Ideally, the trees have outgrown their spot and must be taken down, city officials said. The city does not want to remove specimen trees that would not be otherwise coming down due to overgrowth.
Quincy will pay for the removal and transportation of the tree, grind the stump down and replace the tree with one chosen by the resident. The resident will be recognized in publicity materials and at the tree-lighting event, as well as receive a letter recognizing the gift.
'I was so worried about being homeless': Nonprofit saves 17 affordable units in Quincy
Quincy: Councilors consider residency requirement for city employees, question affordability
“Every year, our city puts on a spectacular show during the Christmas season and the generosity of our residents plays a large role in our events,” Mayor Thomas Koch said in a statement. “These trees help bring joy to thousands of residents. I am grateful to all those that have donated in the past and hope we can continue to find the appropriate trees for the future.”
Residents who have a tree to donate can call 617-376-1251 or email dmurphy@quincyma.gov.
Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.
Reach Mary Whitfill at mwhitfill@patriotledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Theme chosen for Quincy Christmas Parade; city seeks tree donations
