Town of Exeter Holds Annual Christmas Parade
Shay Kashif / The Exonian
By SHAY KASHIF and FORREST ZENG
On Dec. 7, Exeter’s town square brightened with the sounds of drums and colorful costumes as the annual Exeter Holiday Parade marched through. The parade started around 5:30 p.m., on Portsmouth Avenue, snaked its way past downtown, and ended at Swasey Parkway. Academy students and town members crowded onto the sidewalks to watch floats of all kinds proceed through the streets.
At one moment, Santa Claus himself even slid down the street in his sleigh — pulled by a semi-truck festooned with lights — apparently conducting reconnaissance for his upcoming holiday journey across the world. Children eagerly flocked to greet him, accompanied by less-than-enthusiastic parents. Another moment, the brick facades of the Exeter town square rang with the sharp beating and billowing trumpets of a marching band.
The Exeter Town Hall as well as many local businesses were meticulously decorated with lights and ornaments beforehand, further adding to the merry atmosphere in town. Some businesses even handed out complementary hot chocolate to passers-by.
Overall, the annual Exeter Holiday Parade was a resounding success, and provided some much needed relaxation for students having recently returned from fall break.
Shay Kashif / The Exonian
Shay Kashif / The Exonian
