Pounding the Pavement for Parade Participants
by Cate Murway
It's not too late!
Would your business or organization like to participate in the Bristol Borough Annual Christmas Parade at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24th, in historic Bristol on the Delaware?
The rain date is November 25th at 1:00 p.m.
There is still time to register for this FREE fun event for the entire community.
There is no charge for participants, floats, characters, neighborhood groups or banner carriers.
This parade draws a huge crowd, so it is a great way to be part of the excitement while promoting your company or association.
Important: No one is to have a Santa Claus participate in the parade this year. Santa comes in at the end of the parade ONLY and is taken care of by the parade committee.
Vendors must apply for a $50.00 vendor button to vend on the Borough streets. Print you completed participation form, marked vendor in the comments section, from www.bristolboroparade.com and pickup your button the day of the parade. Or stop at the Simon & Schuster guardhouse at 2207 Radcliffe Street between 10:00 a.m.-noon and ask for the Parade Committee President Linda McClain to apply in person.
There is a flurry of activity as the creative applicants prepare for their parade experience.
Stepping Stone Dance Studio located on Floor 3N in the Grundy Commons complex will be participating for their second year in the Bristol Borough parade.
Owner, Dana Stone is justifiably proud of their skillfully decorated Winter Wonderland themed float, sharing “this is a family event for the studio”.
The synchronized Stepping Stone Dance Team will dance “all around us” to the upbeat “It’s Christmas Night” by Nouveau Riche, in their red fur trimmed winter green skirted outfits and black leggings.
All the remainder of the students will be float riders.
St. Mark School is celebrating its 125th Anniversary and it will be presenting two floats, showcasing the students, their families and the alumni. The flatbed trucks have been donated by Angelo Quattrocchi of the Bristol Fuel Company and Sam Gentile of Northern Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
One float will represent activities, including the Student Council, clubs, and the CYO sports teams in their team uniforms. The other will be a classroom setting, carrying students wearing their school uniforms. The walkers will wear the St. Mark School gym uniform.
This is Adina Davenport’s second year as President of the St. Mark Home & School Association and she is excited about their preparations. Her two daughters, track athlete, Bella Rose and Hannah Rose will be participating. Music director, Kathy Wade is working with the students who will be singing the St. Mark School song, “On the old Delaware”, written by former principal, the Bristol Fall Classic Honoree, Karen Lee Pezza.
Bristol Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #970 is designing “A Christmas Story” holiday classic float scene including the leg lamp, one of the most iconic and recognizable movie props of all time. Look for Ralphie and Randy!
The Bristol High School Italian Club will be traversing the town in a silver Ford Edge SUV, chauffeured by the versatile dress designer, Annette Gottsabend and her daughter, Nicole Marie.
Watch....the girls will perform the Tarantella, the classical dance with instantaneous spins and directional changes, visually enhanced by the outfits skillfully created by Annette.
And listen…. The young New Jersey rapper, eleven year old Yung Poppa, is determined to let his voice be heard with his eclectic mix of Christmas and rap songs.
He brought down the house with his performance at the BHS Black History Month.
Yung won FIRST PLACE in the "Stars of Tomorrow" segment of the Feb 2 Amateur Night at the Apollo!
Parade Marchers include Boy Scout Troop #212 and Cub Scout Pack #212, chartered by the Grundy Foundation. The Troop meets monthly at The Ancient Order of Hibernians on Corson Street and the Pack meets at St. Mark School.
Judge Frank W. Peranteau will be the Master of Ceremonies and Denise K. Smith will judge the individual acts and the overall design of the floats.
The 60th Annual tree lighting will take place the night before, on Black Friday, November 23rd.
The 40 foot tall, 27 foot wide, 6000 pound tree was donated by Annette Gottsabend.
“It was very close to my house and I had bad dreams during Hurricane Irene.”
A densely leafed dogwood tree may be planted in its place.
A crane lifted the tree over her Cleveland Avenue home, “everything with precision”. It was transported down Railroad Avenue to Green Lane and up Route 13 before Jim’s Tree Service could make its way back into the town.
“I can’t wait to see the tree decorated.”
The Borough Parade Committee is announcing final calls for letters to the North Pole.
Include a return address and your children’s “Letters to Santa” will be answered.
The holiday parade is coming to town and you don't want to miss it!
So, grab the whole family, your friends, your lawn chair and your imagination and line up before 1:00 PM along Pond Street. Find your place among the crowd, and enjoy.
Make new memories and cherish the old ones.
Hems Truck & Auto located at 2080 Farragut Avenue will present an “Open House”. Roland J. Hems III and Megan Elizabeth McAleer are generously offering coffee, restrooms or a chair to just rest for a bit for the convenience of the parade attendees.
The Bristol Borough Parade Committee would like to thank all of their sponsors, the City Council, Mayor Robert A. Lebo, Magistrate Judge Frank W. Peranteau, Sr., Police Chief Arnold A. Porter, the Emergency Management, Fire Police, local dignitaries, the groups and organizations, and all of our local and surrounding businesses and residents. It is your continued help and support that makes this long standing Bristol Parade tradition possible.
For additional information contact:
President Linda McClain 215.788.5612 or
Vice President Ellen Scancella 215.788.3204 / cell 267.414.6925 / fax 215.788.2181
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
Vincent F. Scancella, Sr. age 49, of Bristol Boro passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at his home. Born in Bristol, he was a lifelong resident. Vince was a member of America Hose, Hook and Ladder Fire Co.
Preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose M. (nee DeLisa) Scancella and his brother, John R. "Bobby" Scancella, he is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Ellen (nee Thomas) Scancella, his children, John Scancella, Vincent Scancella, Jr and his wife, Kristen, Harry Scancella and Stephanie Scancella. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren, Ti-anna, Gianni, Alanna, Ciara, Christiana Rose, Harry, Jr., Hayden and Frederick, Jr. He is also survived by 1 brother, Frank Scancella and his wife, Linda, 1 sister, Beverly Urbanski, his cousin, Joanne Alvarez and her husband, Joseph along with many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Funeral Mass on Monday, January 25, 2010, 10:00am at St. Mark Church, Bristol Boro. Interment, Resurrection Cem. Friends may call Sunday evening 7-9:00pm and Monday morning 9-9:45am at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Boro. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family. The family will be hosting a Beef and Beer, to offset the funeral costs, on Saturday, February 6, 2010, 7:00pm at Italian Mutual Aid Fifth Ward Club, Wood Str., Bristol
Bristol Pilot December 5, 1991
Plethora of Parade Preparations
by Cate Murway
Enjoy a superb afternoon of old-fashioned hometown holiday celebration in Historic Bristol on
the Delaware on Saturday, November 27th [rain date November 28th].
Stake-out your spot early, line the streets, sit on curbs, bring our own lawn chairs, gather with family,
chat with friends and watch an organized procession of festive participants, hear an amazing variety
of fabulous music and gaze at enchantingly-decorative themed-floats.
There is still time for you to decide if it's better to star IN the holiday parade or just join the throngs of happy, cheering people who line the route, waiting with great anticipation for the spectacle to pass by!
History doesn’t account for who created the first parade but each of us has a memory of our own ‘first parade’.
A themed street procession continues to be a beloved, wholesome and cherished tradition that many of us want to share with our own families, our children, nieces and nephews and grandchildren.
Hope your family will be able to relive the holidays the way your deeply embedded memories do.
The ever-popular Borough parade, for the last 50+ years, rekindles happy and positive recollections. There is something about the cheerful noise, the sea of smiling faces and the vibrant colors that makes this event unlike any others.
The hearty laughter you will hear is contagious.
Parades are a wonderfully magical part of the holidays, featuring mobile live performances, elaborate floats, irresistible animals, commanding marching units and high school bands, bedecked vehicles, and tempting food and imaginative craft vendors.
The Borough Fire department, ambulance squads and police
all join in the celebration.
But best of all, for the excited red-cheeked children
standing in line for what seems forever, the “big guy”,
Santa Claus himself arrives on the very last thrilling float.
Waiting, in the eyes of a child, has no relationship to real time.
All the Borough festivities provide a perfect opportunity to stroll, shop or dine while the sounds of the holidays permeate the air. Recapture a little of that nostalgic childhood excitement for yourself.
Former coordinator,
Margie Chapman
did a phenomenal job
for many years.
The co-planners for the last 6 years, President of the Borough Parade Committee, Linda Ann [Conti] McClain and Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Library crossing guard Ellen Jane [Thomas] Scancella, BHS class of ‘84, encourage responsible, great fun for the entire family while celebrating.
Their supportive family members, Krista McClain, Kristen Scancella, Crystal Roe Scancella, Michelle Hilbert and a best friend, Donna Albright, help piece together the parade that brings the holiday season to life! Newest family members are Linda’s month-old grandchildren, triplets Sam, Kyle and Kaylee, parade planners in progress.
“It’s a challenge and so great seeing the people and the children who are just so into the parade. It brings in the spirit of the holidays.”
Their husbands, the late Vincent Frank Scancella, BHS ’81 and Mark William McClain were best friends, coached youth sports together and had always been there to help them.
Fire policeman Mark will continue to block off the roads and to help deter traffic, making certain the parade goes on.
Ronald Philip “Ron” Deangelis, BHS ’71, AQUA water plant operator and a member of the Bristol Consolidated Volunteer Fire Company, offers his services as the deputy coordinator of emergency management.
The Consolidated Volunteer department took over fire protection in Bristol Borough on January 1, 1928 with headquarters in the Bristol Municipal Building.
Ron is “always excited about the parade” and Linda and Ellen agreed, “He does a great deal of work, the day of the parade.”
He will drive the 1968 Hahn Pumper owned by his father, Joseph Michael.
Joe Deangelis will drive his other fire fighting apparatus, a 1971 Dodge Mini Pumper.
Both rigs are housed in [GRAFA], the “Tommy” Gibson Road Antique Fire Association.
The holidays are closer than you think!
The parade planning is in process but the committee still needs organizations, VFW groups, bands, scouts, dancers, bikers and volunteers over the age of 15 to help get historic Bristol on the Delaware decked-out with holiday cheer!
Local public media figures, newscasters and radio personalities are urged to attend.
An avid search for food, soft drinks/ sports drinks / water and pretzel vendors is ongoing.
Fee for vendors is $50.00, payable to the Bristol Borough Parade Committee.
Whether you own a business, have an organization or just want to have fun, floats are a great way to participate in the Borough Holiday Parade and promote your business or cause at the same time.
Reverend Dennis M. Mooney, Pastor of St. Mark Church has been selected to be the Grand Marshall and Council VP/R.E. agent Robyn Trunell has been chosen "Honorary Marshall".
Pennsylvania Magisterial District judge for Bucks County, the Honorable Frank W. Peranteau, Sr. will once again announce the pageantry and grandeur as the Master of Ceremonies.
The parade lineup begins at Simon and Shuster at 2207 Radcliffe Street and will include the incredible “Garyoke” performers, Bristol’s own Gary A. Tosti and Sonny Mosco and the unique sound of the [Joseph A.] Ferko Stringband, a Philadelphia institution entertaining audiences since 1923. Promenading their playful performances will be the Mummers “Fancies” Fancy Brigade, along with the disciplined Warrior Mixed Martial Arts athletes of Patrick Daniel “Pat” Sabatini, Jr., BHS ’09, and Jeffrey Paul “Jeff” Manto, BHS ‘82’s Bristol 30’s baseball 16 and under, true teams of champions, travel teams.
The most prominent values-based youth development organization, the Bristol Boy Scout packs, and the elite accomplished dancers from the Carol Willson Dance Studio located in the Grundy Commons will be strutting on Saturday.
Oh and watch for Boomer, the Trenton Thunder blue "Thunderbird" mascot.
Share a pretzel, sip a refreshing drink and check out the vendor venues.
Stock up for the holidays with Bristol’s own creations! Got Mustard?
Try the acclaimed “Sweet Mustard Seed” label mustards. Taste bud tempting selections include Tequila Jalapeno with a spicy kick, the distinctive flavor of Crunchy Cranberry Dijon, the perfect pairing of decadent Chocolate Merlot and for the truly adventurous eater, Hellacious Haberno.
Proudly share your season greeting on historic Bristol on the Delaware stationery.
Renowned artist, Joe Sagolla crafted original masterpiece image greeting cards with watercolor celebrations of the profoundly historic structures that grace the borough. Large letter historic Bristol postcards created by Larry Fulton, the former Hollywood Production Designer of such films as The Sixth Sense will also be available.
The town will celebrate the Borough Parade’s success with JR Sports products!
DJ Steven Joseph Trunk-Corleto, owner of “Barking Spyder Board Shop” and “Steve's Tees Awards and DeSigns” and his wife, Susan Marie [Zanino] Corleto, owner of the soon-to-be open, “Sweet Mustard Seed” on Mill Street will be making the parade wrap-up announcements at 207 Mill Street.
Mary Lou [Perkins] Field, BHS Class of ’56, owner of the Mill Street JR Sport Center, donates all the trophies. The awards recognize Best Performance by String Band, Best Performance by Marching Band, Most Original Float, Best Decorated Float, Best Performance, and Best Vehicle Category and Best Antique Vehicle.
So, grab the whole family, your friends, your lawn chair and your imagination and line up before 1:00 PM along Pond Street. Find your place among the crowd, and enjoy.
The holiday parade is coming to town and you don't want to miss it!
The Borough Parade Committee will also be announcing final call for letters to the North Pole but they still need a creative someone to donate a magic mailbox for the children’s “Letters to Santa”.
Please contact
Ellen Scancella 267.414.6925
Linda McClain 215.788.5612
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Bristol Pilot
December 5, 1991
Bristol Pilot
December 5, 1991
Jess Graves Photography
