The 2007 holiday season got off to a great start on December 1st with a parade, tree lighting and indoor gathering at the Municipal Veterans Memorial on Bank Street. Despite the frigid weather, over several hundred children and adults gathered in small groups along South Main Street as marching bands from B.M.C. Durfee and other area high schools, antique cars, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, clowns and a variety of holiday floats passed by. The traditional tree-lighting took place in front of the Bank Street Memorial instead of Gromada Plaza due to Government Center construction. The switch was thrown forty-five minutes early this year to allow parade-goers the chance to warm up inside the Memorial where hot chocolate, a variety of games and free photos with Santa awaited them. For more information about the event, contact organizer and Community Development Recreation Director Grace Gerling at 508-679-0922.
 

(Top row, left) A member of Clowns of America International, Marangelien Jovet gathers with friends in Kennedy Park before the start of the parade. (Top row, center) Seven-year-old Jayla Hall leads Brownie Troop 1002 up South Main Street. (Top row, right) Makayla, Sarah and Corinne Vertentes keep warm as they watch the parade go by. (Middle row, left) As the sun sets behind them, Jocelynn Cary and Kim Spooner dance to music with other kids from CD-REC. (Middle row, center) Twelve-year-old Briana Lima leads the Community Development cheerleading class. (Middle row, right) Louise Valillancourt and her four-year-old daughter Emily enjoy the parade from a good spot on South Main Street. (Bottom row, left) Fall River Police Chief John M. Souza escorts Anita Raposa, the first queen of the Ms. Senior Sweetheart Pageants. (Bottom row, center) Santa and Mayor William F.Whitty cheer after nine-year-old Shawn Gerling and his six-year-old brother Nick light the Christmas tree in front of the Municipal Veterans Memorial on Bank Street. (Bottom row, right) America's Promise Fellow Ine Ogagan and FRESH team member Kristina Marchand hand out donuts and other goodies.