Downtown Laconia Holiday Parade to be held on Nov. 29

LACONIA — Whether you have a partridge in a pear tree, or five golden rings on your list, the twelve pipers paving of R. M. Piper Inc. are helping to ready downtown Laconia for an enjoyable holiday season.

The Downtown Laconia Main Street Initiative and the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the annual Laconia Holiday Parade will be held on Saturday, November, 29, 2014 this year, starting at 1 p.m.

"We have received word from the North Pole that Mr. and Mrs. Santa will be participating in this year's parade", said Sue Bullerwell, the Main Street promotions chair, who seems to have a direct line to the arctic, "And of course, local merchants will be open for your holiday shopping, along with more than a dozen eateries".

Each year, the parade begins at Wyatt Park, continues up Main Street, and ends at the historic train station in Veterans' Square with the lighting of the Christmas tree.

This year the parade will travel for the first time over the newly constructed center section of the Main Street Bridge as it crosses the Winnipesaukee River. "It is wonderful that the City of Laconia could shop locally, and effectively buy this rejuvenated bridge from a Plymouth New Hampshire contractor", said John Moriarty, president of the Main Street Initiative.

"They care about doing quality work that will last, and about supporting our community with this unprecedented donation", explained Melissa McCarthy, the Main Street's "people person", referring to the fact that the sponsorship covers the transportation and performance costs for the Laconia, Gilford and Belmont bands, These costs were historically underwritten by the generosity of several donors. "This meets one of our strategic goals, in that by partnering with other organizations, the community preserves a wonderful memory for their children, and we support the school band programs, all thanks this year to R. M. Piper" concluded Moriarty.

Registrations are now being accepted for those that wish to participate in the parade. Last year, more than 70 floats and marching bands participated in the holiday parade and several thousand viewers lined the streets of downtown Laconia. To learn more about the event or obtain information about parade registration, go to www.LakesRegionChamber.org and click on the Community Calendar. Forms will also be available at Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at 383 South Main Street or All My Life Jewelers at 639 Main Street in Laconia.