With Thanksgiving wrapping up, the City of Hammond put on its annual Holiday Parade to keep the holiday spirit growing. Candy floats and smiles abound all along the one-and-a-half-mile-long route. The parade started at Gavit High School and went along Indianapolis Boulevard to the Hammond Sportsplex. Hundreds of people lined each block along the route.
“This is an impressive parade,” said Hammond Mayor Thomas M. McDermott, Jr. “I like this, it is my favorite part of the year. I'm not huge on parades, but this is definitely one of my favorites.”
McDermott led the parade walking in front of the Grand Marshal's float. Along the route he passed candy out to children, stopped to take photos, and gave seasonal greetings to attendees. Members of Hammond’s city council also joined McDermott in the parade including fourth district council member William “Bill” Emerson Sr. who has been participating in the parade for 15 years.
“I usually walk it and throw the candy,” said Emerson. “Sometimes they hold bags open so it gets everybody in the holiday spirit. I'm happy about it, and I look forward to it every year.”
Other participants included marching bands from Bishop Noll Institute and Morton High School, other local departments and agencies like the Lake County Sheriff’s Department or Hammond Sanitary District, and local businesses like Schoop’s Hamburgers and Freddy’s Steakhouse drove floats. The parade was a great opportunity for local businesses to come together and get out into the community.
“It's always nice because I like going to things like this with them,” said Danny Garreffa, creative services manager with Diamond Pet Services. “It's really like a community-type thing. We come together and it is nice to see everybody out here doing their thing.”
No parade, however, would be complete without a Grand Marshal. This year’s Grand Marshal was Jim LaPietra representing the Towle Theater. It was his first time as the Grand Marshal.
“It was fun waving and greeting all the people that came out to see it,” said LaPietra.
The conditions for the parade were perfect and the atmosphere was lively. Children were happily racing along the sides to get all of the candy that was given out. It seems like a great omen for what looks like it will be a great season.
“Today was a balmy 40 degrees,” said McDermott, "It was dry and the wind was not blowing so you can't beat the weather. I think that means it's gonna be a great holiday season.”
Quality of life is important for cities like Hammond and its residents. With so much of the community coming together for events like the Holiday Parade it is not hard to see the quality of life is great in Hammond.
“This is part of what Hammond offers, quality of life,” said McDermott. We obviously do a number of things, but this is something in December that we do for our residents. It is a nice tradition and the kids love it.”
For more information about the City of Hammond please visit https://www.gohammond.com/.
