By Maile Biehl
The fourteenth annual Mashpee chamber Christmas parade took place on December 7. With the theme this year being “Christmas around the world”, many unique floats were on display.
The parade was kicked off at Deer Crossing in Mashpee with the Colum Cille Pipes and Drums Band from Cape Cod, followed by horses and The Mashpee Middle High School Band performing multiple songs.
Every year, a group in the parade wins Best In Parade and this year, the winner was Quashnet School’s Carousel of Kindness. This award has been a part of the Mashpee Chamber Christmas Parade for many years and each year, a different group or float is awarded.
The fourteenth annual Mashpee chamber Christmas parade took place on December 7. With the theme this year being “Christmas around the world”, many unique floats were on display.
The parade was kicked off at Deer Crossing in Mashpee with the Colum Cille Pipes and Drums Band from Cape Cod, followed by horses and The Mashpee Middle High School Band performing multiple songs.
Every year, a group in the parade wins Best In Parade and this year, the winner was Quashnet School’s Carousel of Kindness. This award has been a part of the Mashpee Chamber Christmas Parade for many years and each year, a different group or float is awarded.
The Mashpee Middle High School Band, made up of 60 or so people, was led by the MMHS Band and orchestra director, Mr. Andrew Troyanos. The MMHS Band has been a part of the parade for many years, each year performing Jingle Bells, Deck the Halls and the recent addition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Mr. Troyanos provided some insight into being a part of the parade and what he enjoys most: “The community spirit that exists in Mashpee. Often times people don't come to our concerts or events here so we have to go to them, and it is probably the biggest event that we play for. It’s a couple of thousand people throughout the Commons.”
Alongside Mashpee Middle High School Band, there was Barnstable High School's Marching Band and Colorguard, Blackstone-Millville Regional High School Marching Band and Colorguard, and many other small bands.
Many students from Mashpee High School have been a part of the parade for most of their time in High School. “The Mashpee Christmas Parade is very unique, every year they bring together family and friends to celebrate this special time. it is always great to be a part of the band and represent our town with pride,” said Sonia Hellwig, a senior at Mashpee High School.
Local businesses on floats in the parade included Bosun's Marine, Botello lumber, Mashpee Baptist Church, Star Oil, Young's Landscaping and concluding the parade was Santa Claus and his Reindeer. Other groups marching in the parade included the Girls Scouts, the Boy Scouts, and Eastern Bank.