The Moorestown Lions Club holiday parade will return on Dec. 4 after its COVID cancellation last year.
The parade begins at noon and is led by the mayor and town council, co-Citizens of the Year Julie and Pete Bender, Lions Club President John Burkhardt and Ms. Senior New Jersey.
This year’s theme is Snow Much Fun, and participants include Brownies, Girl Scouts, first responders and families. Brownie Troop 20002 will collect toys for the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department Toy Drive. A collection box will also be in front of the Community House.
Brownies will dress up as snowflakes to match this year’s parade theme.
“Some (of) them came up with the idea of snowflakes … and also, the idea that each snowflake was unique,” said Brownies co-leader Melissa Lestini. “We (kind) of ran with that and thought that (it) was a great way to show each girl’s individuality.”
The parade starts at Chester Avenue, heads down Main Street and ends at the corner of Church Street.
Lions Club member Jack Lance oversees this year’s club float, featuring Santa’s sled with reindeer. Lance took over from 91-year-old member Joseph Perla in 2019. Perla has been a member for 53 years, Lance for seven.
“Parades were canceled everywhere last year, and I think this is a (huge) time for families to come together, get outside and experience this,” Lance noted.
Junior Troop 26173 members Anna Tesoriero, Sophia Tesoriero, Samantha Colella and Sloane Wixted will perform a dance routine and collect coats and jackets for donations.
“Every year, we do a community-service project that’s linked to the parade,” said troop leader Heather Colella. “While it’s fun to dress up and be in the parade, I’d like to include (some) community service as well.”
Lance is gearing up for reactions to the club’s float.
“To me, having the kids … even if it’s one kid (that) gets to see that Santa float and it (really) impacts (them) .. done,” said Lance.
“It was (so) worth doing; you would do it 100 times over.”
