Rehoboth Beach welcomes Santa Claus
The snow was fake, but the cold was real.
The crowd that turned out for the annual Rehoboth Beach Christmas parade Dec. 2, was bundled up, ready for the holiday fun. The parade was organized by the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company.
There were about 130 entries this year, including floats and fire trucks from many Delaware communities.
Marching bands from Cape Henlopen, Sussex Central, Laurel, Indian River and Caroline high schools performed along the route.
Rehoboth Beach Patrol passed out candy and mini beach balls to remind people of warmer days on the sand.
The route took the parade past some holiday-motivated children and adults.
“We have a happy hour before, then desserts after,” said Maria Boulden, who watched the parade through festive glasses at First Street.
A lot of families staked out parking spots long before the parade kicked off. They huddled in the back of pickup trucks and SUVs to get the best view.
The granddaughters of Diaz Bonville remembered their grandfather by carrying a banner with his picture. Bonville died in September. He was a longtime community leader in Rehoboth Beach and president of West Side New Beginnings, among many other positions.
The parade grand finale came when Santa and Mrs. Claus made their way up the avenue in a classic fire truck substituting for their sleigh.
The pair from the North Pole got dropped off at the fire station and went indoors to get Christmas lists from boys and girls.
