Malden's 10th Annual Parade of Holiday Traditions is This Weekend

The 10th annual Parade of Holiday Traditions kicks off Saturday from the Salemwood School in Malden, according to Mayor Gary Christenson.

The parade, which will be held rain, snow or shine, steps off at 12 p.m. Nov. 30 from the Salemwood School. The parade route then proceeds to Waite Street Extension, left on Maplewood Street, left on Salem Street and ends at the Malden Teen Enrichment Center at Ferry, Salem and Main Streets, according to Christenson. Following the parade, the teen center will host an open house, he added.

"This year marks our 10th anniversary and the parade has grown to become one of Malden’s signature events," said the mayor in an email to Malden Patch. "It’s a great way to bring the community together and to showcase some of Malden’s youth groups, civic organizations, sports teams, bands and school groups."

The parade, which was organized by Michael and Margie Drummey, their daughter Meghan and several other Maldonians, will have Councillor-at-Large Greg Lucey serving as this year’s Grand Marshal. 

"Greg is leaving the City Council at the end of 2013 and we extend our appreciation for his years of service and his many accomplishments," Christenson said in a press statement. "Most notable is the establishment of the Malden Teen Enrichment Center which at last count had over 500 teens signed up."

The annual parade will also honor former School Committee Member Eleanor "Ellie" Fitzpatrick who dedicated years of her life to Malden Public Schools, according to the statement. She passed away on Dec. 29, 2012, according to an obituary posted on the Legacy website.

"Her passion and commitment to helping our students is still felt today and will be for the foreseeable future," said the mayor in the statement. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be part of the festivities as well, according to the mayor.

The parade will consist of four divisions including:

First Division

• Welcome Banner

• First Division Banner

• Malden Police Commissioner Salvatore “Butch” Gennetti

• Malden Police Department Honor Guard

• Malden Fire Department Honor Guard

• Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard

• Elected State and Local Officials

• Grand Marshal Councillor-at-Large Greg Lucey

• Malden High School Band

• Second Division Banner

• Eleanor “Ellie” Fitzpatrick Dedication

• Ferryway School Float

• Ryan Family Amusements

• Zonta

• Malden Emergency Vehicles

• Boston Strong Banner

• Malden Middle School Band

• Bike to the Sea

• The Outreach Community & Reform Center

• Paula Terenzi Dance Complex

• Salvation Army – Malden 

• Malden Pop Warner

• Third Division Banner

• Malden Girl Scouts

• Wah Lum Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy

• Medford Auxiliary Fire Department

• Linden S.T.E.A.M. Academy

• Friends of  The Malden Public Library

• All Tech Electric

• Councillor Ward 7 Neal Anderson’s Float

• Salemwood School 

• Enchanted Forest

• Boston Firemen’s Band

• Boston Baseball Field of Dreams LLC w/ Malden YWCA & Malden Teen Enrichment Center

• Dance with Bridgette

• Fourth Division Banner

• Cataldo Ambulance

• Texas Roadhouse - Everett

• Forestdale School

• Windjammers Band

• Malden Department of Public Works Sander

• Darcy’s Dance Academy 

• Tony’s Auto Body LLC

• Boy Scouts, Troop 613

• First Parish in Malden Universalist

• Malden Tuney Tornado Band

• Malden Fire Department Engine 

• U.S. Post Office Carriers collecting Santa letters

• Santa & Mrs. Claus on a horse-drawn sleigh