The 25^th Annual Christmas Parade stepped off from Kennedy Park at 12:30 p.m. in a steady drizzle on December 5, 2009, with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus by helicopter and proceeded down South Main Street to the cheers of hundreds of wet but enthusiastic viewers. Five gigantic helium balloons depicting Sponge Bob Squarepants, Big Bird, Kermit the Frog, Nemo and Rudolph handled by Fabulous Inflatables of Detroit, provided a dramatic background to the 19 local, state and regional bands and dozens of local schools and organizations who marched along the half-mile parade route to Government Center. "This is by far the biggest parade that has ever been held in the City," remarked CD-REC executive director Grace Gerling, one of the principal organizers of the event. Despite the steady rain, marchers and viewers kept up steady entertainment and applause right up to the reviewing stand where Mayor Robert Correia and his wife greeted each participant. Following the parade, everyone crowded into the Veteran's Memorial on Bank Street where game, pictures with Santa and refreshments were offered at no charge. Click here to see all of the photos and here to see the Heritage Holiday House. For more information, contact Grace Gerling at 508-679-022.
 

(Top row, left) Santa arrives by helicopter in the middle of Kennedy Park and is greeted by a Fall River police officer. (Top row, center) B.M.C. Durfee High School students Brojan Murphy, Tyler Winn and Evelyn Pinnick take shelter from the rain while awaiting the start of the parade. (Top row, right) Fall River police officer Jim Machado hand candy to three-year-old Darius Bayanillao at the start of the parade. (Second row, left and center) Five-year-old Lawrence Bird holds his Sponge Bob umbrella while watching member of YouthBuild and Team FRESH and  maneuver the giant balloon under the first set of wires. (Second row, right) Terry Perhatch of the Aqua String Band marches while playing a banjo. (Third row, center) Four-year-old Mykel Vega watches Sponge Bob and Big Bird in awe. (Third row, right) Members of the Fall River Fire Department march down South Main Street. (Fourth row, left) A member of the Peaceful Coalition performs in front of Mayor Correia and his wife at Government Center. (Fourth row, center) State Representatives David Sullivan and Michael Rodrigues enjoy the parade despite the steady rain. (Fourth row, right) A team from Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen maneuvers Big Bird around the corner on Central Street. (Fifth row, center) Department of Public Works director Ken Pacheco and Carol Valcourt describes the parade on a live WHTB radio broadcast. (Fifth row, right) The CE-REC Hip Hop dance class performs at the corner of Main & Bedford Streets. (Bottom row) The Grinch makes his way around the floor of CD-REC where hundreds gathered after the parade for hot chocolate, face painting, pictures with Santa and and a chance to bounce in one of two moon walk inflatable enclosures.