The 46th annual Mayfair-Holmesburg Thanksgiving Parade took place on Sunday afternoon along Frankford Avenue, from Rhawn Street to Knorr Street.
The grand marshal was Seward Johnson Atelier, the organization that placed statues in Mayfair this past spring and summer. By popular demand, new statues will be installed next year.
U.S. Marines, joined by organizers Anne Marie Muldoon and Jen Cassidy, collected Toys for Tots at Knorr Street, and Boy Scouts collected nonperishable food for the needy.
Santa and Mrs. Claus were the stars of the show, riding on the Ladder 20 fire truck and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
The parade featured characters such as Elmo, Tigger, Cookie Monster, the Cat in the Hat, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Woody and the Barbera Bear.
There were a number of classic cars and military vehicles, the General Lee rode down Frankford Avenue playing its familiar horn, Aztec Sings had a carriage and the Rev. Patrick Welsh and St. Matthew Catholic Church parishioners rode in an old Philadelphia Transportation Company trolley.
Local elected officials who marched were state Sen. Tina Tartaglione, City Councilman Mike Driscoll, state Rep. Pat Gallagher and city elections commissioner Seth Bluestein.
There were several string bands tuning up for the Mummers Parade, including Hegeman playing Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and Polish American performing Frosty the Snowman. The band Origins performed Jingle Bells.
Several dance schools and Scout troops were in the parade, and Gallo’s/Ashburner Inn and Barbera Autoland rode down the avenue in their Eagles buses.
Stein Your Florist gave roses to the ladies in the crowd.
There were also appearances by the Frankford Junior ROTC and the Swenson Air Force Junior ROTC, among many other participating groups.
Meanwhile, the 14th annual Mayfair Tree Lighting and Christmas Village will take place on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2-6 p.m. at Frankford and Cottman avenues. There will be vendors, drinks, live music and photo opportunities with Santa Claus. Representatives from Seward Johnson Atelier will light the tree at dusk. The event is organized by the Mayfair Business Improvement District, Civic Association and Community Development Corporation. ••
