Continuing a tradition in its 43rd year, the North End Christmas Parade brought the holiday spirit to the neighborhood with a fun-filled Sunday afternoon of events for children of all ages. First, Santa Claus arrived by helicopter at the North End Park, Puopolo Field. After greeting swarms of kids, the annual Christmas Parade kicked off from Commercial Street, sponsored by the North End Athletic Association in memory of James “Jimmy” Pallotta. The parade featured marching bands, dancers and plenty of Christmas characters as it processed through the streets of the North End. This year, the parade ended at the Prado, Paul Revere Mall, where Mayor Menino’s last Enchanted Trolley Tour held a tree lighting with a performance by Joey Griffith of the Eliot School. Of course, Santa was also on hand to listen to kids’ gift requests in advance of the big day. Buon Natale!
Santa Claus arrives via helicopter at the North End Park
Pallotta Family joins with elected officials, NEAA organizers and Santa Claus
Crowds swarm Santa Claus after he arrives via helicopter at Puopolo Field
Spiderman and Colonial Warrior Photo Bomb
Wally from the Boston Red Sox in the North End Christmas Parade
Horse and Carriages in the North End Christmas Parade
Leaning out the window on Richmond Street for the North End Christmas Parade
Aleppo carts in the North end Christmas Parade
Shriners Hospitals in the Christmas Parade with smoke from the Colonial guns
Colonial minutemen in the Christmas Parade
Marching Band in the North End Christmas Parade
Smokin’ Joe’s Fire Truck in the Christmas Parade
NEAA Organizers and BPD Sgt Tom Lema at the North End Christmas Parade
Patte Papa gives us a holiday dance step in the North End Christmas Parade
Horse and Carriages in the North End Christmas Parade
Aleppo carts in the North end Christmas Parade
Aleppo Shriners on their Motorcycles in the North End Christmas Parade
Marching Band in the North End Christmas Parade
On the fire truck in the North End Christmas Parade
John Romano with Santa on Engine 2 in the North End Christmas Parade
Joey Griffith Performed with NEMPAC at the Trolley Tour (L-R) Sherri Snow, Rebecca Rappaport-Cole, Joey Griffith and Alexandra Dietrich
North End children made a sign to thank Mayor Menino at his last Christmas Trolley tour
Costumed performers at Mayor Menino’s Trolley Tour
Mayor Thomas M. Menino speaks to the crowd at his final Enchanted Trolley Tour
Mayor Menino points the bat cane at the North End stop on the Enchanted Trolley Tour
State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz and City Councilor Sal LaMattina enjoy the North End Trolley Tour stop
Confetti at the Tree Lighting during Mayor Menino’s Trolley Tour Stop in the North End
Lighting the Prado Tree
Santa listens to kids requests at the North End Trolley Tour
Frosty the Snowman in front of the Prado Christmas Tree
The 6th annual Santa Skate & Toy Drive took place at Steriti Rink in the North End. Sponsored by the North End Columbus Day Celebration Committee, the event gathered a giant pile of toys as holiday classics played during the free skating event. A raffle with several prizes also helped contributed to the cause, with all cash and toys Read More…
Sound the trumpets! The Old North Church Choir and Orchestra heralds the holiday season with a Christmas concert on Sunday, December 12th, at 5:00 pm, at the Church, 193 Salem Street in Boston’s North End. Under the baton of Music Director and Organist, Dr. Libor Dudas, the choir will perform Reinhard Keiser’s Christmas Oratorio and Read More…
by Commissioner Ralph Martignetti The Cardinals beat the Indians 6 – 2 in the nitecap of the Saturday doubleheader. The Indians scored both of the their runs in the 1st inning. With one out Jase Cherchi walked and stole 2nd. As the throw got got past the shortshop, Cherchi headed for third and continued home Read More…
3 Replies to “Photo Gallery: Christmas Parade, Helicopter Santa & Mayor’s Trolley Tour”
If the North End isn’t THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE~~~~I DO NOT KNOW WHERE ELSE COULD BE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Annual Christmas Parade just went by~~~If that doesn’t put a smile of joy on your face~~then NOTHING WILL !!!!!!
Even if I was in a Coma~~~I would have heard what was going on !!!!
Boy, this takes “A LOT” of volunteers to put that Extravaganza together !!!!
Thank You people for the unselfishness that went into the sacrifices involved !!!! It’s times like these that~~~ I wish I could borrow some children so I could watch them enjoying this spectacular event !!
I think back when I was a kid (many years ago)~~~~I lived at 190 North Street where the Langone Family lived~~~There was an empty storefront next door to our entrance~~~EVERY YEAR~~That wonderful Family would bring the orphans here to watch and enjoy this very same parade ! There would be many gifts, food, candy, Santa, and a day of LOVE for those beautiful children~~Please let’s never forget when a person or family goes out of their way to extend their kindnesses, the very least we can do is
REMEMBER ! Pay it forward ! I think that’s the way it goes~~~~
That whole parade was pretty great, with the exception of the pickup with the speaker rack on top – I get playing christmas music, that’s no problem with me, but the volume was out of control. Loud is ok… whatever that was was not ok, and I can’t believe the police were cool with it. I felt especially bad for the kids dancing right behind it, that’s a one-way trip to hearing problems in 15-20.
Great parade, very festive just a great way to kick off the season. Enjoyed the Aleppo cars and minuteman.
If the North End isn’t THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE~~~~I DO NOT KNOW WHERE ELSE COULD BE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Annual Christmas Parade just went by~~~If that doesn’t put a smile of joy on your face~~then NOTHING WILL !!!!!!
Even if I was in a Coma~~~I would have heard what was going on !!!!
Boy, this takes “A LOT” of volunteers to put that Extravaganza together !!!!
Thank You people for the unselfishness that went into the sacrifices involved !!!! It’s times like these that~~~ I wish I could borrow some children so I could watch them enjoying this spectacular event !!
I think back when I was a kid (many years ago)~~~~I lived at 190 North Street where the Langone Family lived~~~There was an empty storefront next door to our entrance~~~EVERY YEAR~~That wonderful Family would bring the orphans here to watch and enjoy this very same parade ! There would be many gifts, food, candy, Santa, and a day of LOVE for those beautiful children~~Please let’s never forget when a person or family goes out of their way to extend their kindnesses, the very least we can do is
REMEMBER ! Pay it forward ! I think that’s the way it goes~~~~
That whole parade was pretty great, with the exception of the pickup with the speaker rack on top – I get playing christmas music, that’s no problem with me, but the volume was out of control. Loud is ok… whatever that was was not ok, and I can’t believe the police were cool with it. I felt especially bad for the kids dancing right behind it, that’s a one-way trip to hearing problems in 15-20.
Great parade, very festive just a great way to kick off the season. Enjoyed the Aleppo cars and minuteman.