Holiday on Haddon Parade and Tree Lighting

Haddon Avenue was lined with people Friday night taking in the sights and sounds of the season at the annual holiday parade in Haddon Township.

Mild weather added to the fun, with kids dancing in the streets as a DJ played Christmas music in front of the municipal building before the parade began. Fire trucks from around South Jersey decorated their vehicles to compete in the annual light up parade which added to the holiday fun. Children sat on their parents shoulders waiting for their first glimpse of Santa. When the guest of honor arrived, he danced to "Rockin' around the Christmas tree" before the countdown took place to light the holiday tree and municipal building with sparkling lights and snowflakes. 

Westmont Fire Chief John Medes estimated 1,500 attended the parade and tree lighting. For the past 15 years, the Westmont Fire Department sponsored the parade.

“We have 20 fire departments participating this year in a variety of categories including engine, ladder, privately owned, utility, judges award and best overall,” Dan Devitt, a member of the Westmont Fire Department said. First and second place winners receive cash prizes.

After the parade, Santa met with children at the Westmont Fire Department where they could have a private moment to share their wish list and get their photo taken with the jolly old elf. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Westmont Fire Department provided cookies and hot chocolate to guests waiting to meet Santa.

Light parade competitions

Thousands of lights are taped to fire engines, ladder trucks, antique trucks, ambulances and utility vehicles by area fire fighters to compete in area parades throughout the holiday season. The Westmont Fire Department has won top prizes in four parades, so far, this year. At the Barrington holiday parade, Westmont received the top prize for the best appearing company. The Audubon parade brought two top awards for the department with best decorated engine and the best float. At the Runnemede parade, Westmont won for best engine and their ambulance won first place at the Clementon parade.

According to 15-year-old Thomas DiPaolo, a volunteer with aspirations to get accepted into the junior fireman program with the Somerdale Fire Department, “It took three days to tape lights onto the Somerdale engine, and each light is taped securely.” Fred Axelrod, a volunteer fireman with Somerdale F.D., said, “Our department tries to participate in all area light parades. We have been coming to the Haddon Township parade for the past 10 years.” The Somerdale engine was looking for another first place award after taking the top award in the 2012 Barrington, Audubon and Clementon parades in the engine category. 

2012 Haddon Township Light Parade Winners

Engine

• 1st Collingswood F.D.
• 2nd Blackwood F.D.
• 3rd Brooklawn F.D.

Ladder

• 1st Barrington F.D.
• 2nd Bellmawr F.D.

Privately owned

• 1st Gen Danenfelzer
• 2nd Frank Sandrock (Tonka Fire Company)

Unitity vehicle

• 1st Bellmawr
• 2nd Audubon

Judges Award:  Mike Wharton

Best Overall:  Somerdale Fire Department

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