Full day of Brockton activities slated including parade, entertainment, MSP flyover

BROCKTON, MA – The Downtown Brockton Association, in partnership with the City of Brockton, will host the 35th Annual Community Holiday Parade and Celebration on Saturday, November 26, 2022. The parade is back to full-scale for the first time since 2019 (COVID cancellation in 2020 and a limited celebration in 2021). This year’s parade theme is Back Together for the Holidays.

The DBA invites the public to the downtown area beginning at 9:30 am. The parade steps off at 1 pm, starting at the corner of Main and Belmont, featuring over 80 participants.

New to this year’s parade is a flyover of Main Street by the Massachusetts State Police Air-Wing unit to kick off the parade, trackless train rides, and a 15-foot snow globe.

Additionally, attendees can enjoy many opportunities to celebrate the holiday season: performances by local groups, family activities, a Holiday Marketplace, Food Court, and the area businesses and restaurants.

“We are elated and grateful about the full-scale return of our beloved Community Holiday Parade and Celebration to the City of Brockton,” said President of the Downtown Brockton Association Mary Waldron. “This is truly the can’t-miss event of the holiday season. We look forward to kicking off the holiday season, spreading holiday cheer to every single resident of the city.”

The Holiday Parade and Celebration is a public-private partnership that includes collaboration between downtown businesses and property owners, Mayor Sullivan, Brockton City Council, and Brockton Public Schools.

Leading this year’s parade is DBA Chair Amanda Glennon. Ms. Glennon works for NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, an organization involved in the development of downtown and the region.

“I am glad to be part of a group of dedicated volunteers charged with bringing this long-standing holiday tradition back to full scale,” said Ms. Glennon. “I love parades and staying involved; knowing that children and families will have free activities and smiles as the parade goes by them warms my heart as things are tough for many.”

As is customary at every Holiday Parade, the DBA is pleased to announce this year’s Parade Co-Marshals and the James Edgar Awardee.

After sifting through several worthy nominees, the Parade Marshal Selection Committee has elected two people who have contributed to Brockton High School football profoundly: Peter Colombo, BHS Football Coach, and McKenzie Quinn, BHS Football player.

Brockton High School senior McKenzie Quinn is a trailblazer for Brockton High School as a wide receiver for the Boxer and the first female varsity player. She also became the first female to score a touchdown for the Boxers. McKenzie has a 5.0 GPA and also plays baseball and runs track.

Brockton High football coach Peter Colombo, who recently won his final game in a 31-20 victory over Bridgewater-Raynham at the “High School Football at Fenway” game at Fenway Park and named New England Patriots High School Football Coach of the Week on October 25th.

Coach Colombo is in his 20th and final year as head coach of the Boxers football team. Colombo has been head coach of the Boxers football team for 53 years, dating back to when Peter’s father, Armond, took the reins in 1969 and then handed the head coaching duties off to Peter in 2002. During his 20 years, Peter has led the Boxers to a 132-72 record, five Super Bowl appearances, and two consecutive championships in 2004 and 2005.

The 2022 James Edgar Awardee is Joe Madaio. The award is named after James Edgar, who created the first department store Santa. Mr. Madaio has been the Downtown Brockton Association’s Treasurer for over 25 years. Joe volunteered his time and expertise to the organization and recently retired. “While Treasurer Joe guided our organization, but also me personally. We remain today a healthy financial organization due largely to his efforts,” said John Merian, past President of the DBA. “Without Joe, there would be no Holiday Parade. For his service, he is our 2022 awardee.”

Full list of Saturday activities

9:30 AM : BROCKTON CITY HALL OPENS (GROUND FLOOR)
MAYOR SULLIVANS OFFICE- MUNCHKINS & HOT COCOA
CRAFT ACTIVITIES :
GARDEN CLUB, COUNCIL ON AGING & THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
BROCKTON HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR (11:00 AM)
PIZZA & JUICE BOXES (12:00PM)
10:00 AM : ALL FESTIVITIES BEGIN
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A SPECIAL SNOWY SURPRISE !
FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA – CITY HALL GROUND FLOOR (10:00-12:00)
DJ JOE LUPICA – CITY HALL PLAZA
MASS HIRE GBWB MOBILE LEARNING LAB- SCHOOL STREET
HOLIDAY VENDOR MARKETPLACE – CITY HALL PLAZA
HOLIDAY FOOD COURT – OCES LOT
STREET GAMES – SCHOOL STREET / VFW PARKWAY
FACE PAINTING WITH PUNKY DOODLES – SCHOOL STREET (10:00-1:00)
PLANETARIUM SHOWS- BROCKTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
SNOW FLAKE HUNT – BROCKTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (11:30 AM)
TEDDY TOWN-CREATE YOUR OWN BEAR – BROCKTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (10:00-1:00)
(MUST PRE-REGISTER)
CRAFTS , MOVIES, STORY TIMES & MORE – BROCKTON PUBLIC LIBRARY (10:00-4:00)
TOUCH A TRUCK SPONSORED BY LUMINOSITY- PROVA! LOT (10:00-12:00)
PINNACLE PARTNERSHIPS VACCINE & BOOSTER CLINIC- $75 GIFT CARD
(WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)
ALL DAY COVERAGE & COMMENTARY – BROCKTON COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION
CITY HALL AMPHITHEATER PERFORMANCES (10:00-12:00)
PERFORMANCES BY ; MARIABELLE LOPEZ, REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH CHOIR AND
DANCE, THE SOUTHEASTERN REGIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL STEP TEAM,
NAZIRAH FANNONEY & MORE!
1:00 PM : PARADE KICKS OFF
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE PARADE, PLEASE JOIN US BACK AT CITY HALL PLAZA FOR
HOLIDAY CAROLS, MUSIC AND THE OFFICIAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY!