Christmas in the Country parades through Tuckahoe

Written by Deb Patterson Monday, 05 December 2011 15:56

Bear and Wolf Dens of Cub Scout Pack 79 had a Candy Land theme.

TUCKAHOE – The Greater Tuckahoe Area Merchants Association held their 17th annual Christmas in the Country holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 3. I was invited to see the Christmas parade, which began at the historic Tuckahoe Train Station and traveled all the way up Rt. 50, across the bridge to L's Restaurant in Corbin City. Parade viewers followed along to enjoy the craft show held there where baked goods, homemade crafts, scented soaps, holiday puppets and pictures with Santa Claus were among the things to enjoy.

The parade was an opportunity for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from the area to design a float and get a free ride through downtown Tuckahoe. Cub Scout Pack 55, whose charter is held by the Tuckahoe Fire Company, featured the theme “Hooked on Cub Scouts.” The boys held handmade fishing poles, each with a fish they landed imprinted with one of the core values of scouting such as Courage, Citizenship, Faith, Perseverance, Fitness, Resourcefulness, Respect, Compassion, Cooperation and Responsibility.

Several area businesses and churches also had floats in the parade with various themes. The Tuckahoe Methodist Church entered a float with a Nativity scene and I was so happy to see Santina Woolley dressed as one of the angels. It was this time last year that I wrote a column on a fundraiser for Santina, who is now in remission in her battle with Leukemia.

Cape May County Sherriff Gary Schaffer had his own vehicle in the parade. And volunteers from Beacon Animal Rescue must have thought what better way to exercise the dogs than a parade? Let's hope they get adopted and have a home by Christmas.

Of course the parade would not be complete without Santa, who rode atop a 1927 Reo fire truck and waved to all bystanders, young and old alike. He was followed by more current fire trucks from the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company, Seaville Volunteer Fire Company and Upper Township Rescue Squad vehicles which brought up the rear of the parade with horns blaring and candy distributed to the children along the parade route.

It was a beautiful day in the country, with the weather sunny but cool. If you did not attend this year be sure to go next year. You are sure to enjoy it as much as I did.

  If you have an event you would like in the Spotlight, call Deb Patterson at 624-8900 ext 249.

“Welcome to Whoville” was the theme of Eisele's Christmas Tree Farm with Anna Belle Eisele dressed as Cindy Lou Who.

The Tuckahoe Methodist Church show off their float with a Nativity scene.

Cub Scout Pack 55 was “Hooked on Fishing.”

Volunteers from Beacon Animal Rescue march through Tuckahoe.

Wesley United Methodist Church had its Sunday School students dressed for the Christmas story as shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph, and even a few sheep.

Donned in Santa hats, Boy Scout Troop 95 wished all a Merry Christmas.

The Music Studio in Linwood has private lessons for all instruments. Their students played holiday music as they traveled the parade route.

The Endicott family of Marmora and the Pearce family of South Seaville enjoy the Tuckahoe Christmas Parade.

No Christmas parade would be complete without Santa Claus.