As the fog lifted and the sun began to shine through on Saturday morning, the feel of community and Holiday cheer was in the air in Hammond. Hammond hosted their annual Holiday Parade. The chill in the air did not stop families from lining the streets to see the parade.
Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and the Hammond City Council were the hosts of the parade today. Mayor McDermott and his family were not in attendance or participating in today’s parade due to a family matter. McDermott still had a float in the parade with his personnel representing him and his family.
>Grand Marshall for the Holiday Parade was “Ralphie”. The young actor playing Ralphie from Theatre at The Centre's "A Christmas Story" did a great job being Grand Marshall today. He wore the iconic pink bunny outfit as he waved and smiled from his float in the parade. It was a big job for a young man and he was having fun taking it on.
Superintendent of Parks at Hammond Parks & Recreation Donna Muta said, “There are 88 floats in today's parade. It’s a good day for a parade!” Donna, who has been a part of at least nine previous parades, was in charge of today’s parade for the first time. To help get into the spirit of the parade and the movie Hammond is known for - ""A Christmas Story" - Donna wore a pink bunny outfit as she directed the parade participants. She was very easy to spot and did a great job organizing the event.
The parade started at Gavit High School and wound its way to 169th and Wicker Place. Friends, families and groups of people lined both sides of the street along the parade route, watching the parade go by. You could hear shouts of "Merry Christmas" from the participants and those watching the parade. Lots of candy was being tossed to those watching the parade. Young kids to teens each had at least a bagful of candy by the end of the parade.
Sandy Tyssen, who works for the Parks Department for the City of Hammond was very excited to be a part of the parade. “The whole parade is exciting! This is my favorite parade!” enthused Sandy. She is new to working at the Parks Department and was very happy to be at today’s event.
You could feel the sense of community and oneness of the crowds of people and parade participants today. Hammond knows how to make you feel like part of a community. No child was passed by without being handed lots of candy or treated to a smile and wave as parade participants passed by. Lots of waves, smiles and shouts of Merry Christmas were shared with all involved or just watching. Marching bands, police officers, firemen, motorcycle riders, kids walking for their sports team, and political figures and many more groups walked together in the parade. There was even a 5-year-old Michael Jackson impersonator who had quite the moves to show you.
Not only is the parade a long standing tradition for the City of Hammond but it is also for the people of Hammond. Penny T. who has lived in Hammond 14 years has been coming every year with her family since she moved there. “It’s a family tradition. We’ve come with our own kids and now we come with our kids and grandkids!” smiled Penny as she spoke of the parade.
Penny and her family were looking forward to seeing Santa this year. Ending the parade today was the float carrying the man all those young and old alike were waiting to see - Santa! Not only could you see Santa in the parade for the first time, but at the end of the parade at 169th and Wicker Place, residents could get their picture taken with him too.
Thanks to the many sponsors of the parade, the Hammond City Council and Mayor McDermott it was another very successful Holiday Parade in Hammond. The weather even somewhat cooperated with the sun shining brightly on all those in attendance. If you didn’t make it this year mark it on your calendar for next year to come see the Holiday Parade, you wont regret it!