2004 Schedule for Santacade on 12/24!!!!
Each Christmas Eve many people from Maywood and surrounding towns gather along our local streets to await the arrival of the Maywood Santacade. Many parents in the crowd can recall how they sat on Santa's lap (originally Herb Cook) as children whispering their Christmas wishes in Santa's ear and receive lots of candy canes. Today they continue this holiday tradition spanning generations by bringing their own children to see Santa (presently Tom Richards). Predating mall Santa's and television in most Maywood homes, this seasonal effort ranks with illustrations of Christmas past, in the minds of the Maywoodians.
Made popular by the child's story "Frosty The Snowman" and accompanying song in the mid 1950's, the character of Frosty was added to the Santacade in the early 50's. Presently portrayed by Matt Parodi proceeding Jimmy Howes, Kevin Howes and a long run by Fred Zigrest, Frosty precedes the arrival of Santa by warming the crowd by song and laughter.
Weeks before Christmas, the squad members neglect their own family obligations to go out in all kinds of weather to stand in front of the local bank and post office to seek donations for the Santacade. The unique sleigh, a gift from the Lydecker family, is pulled out of storage and attached to reindeer constructed by former Maywoodian Jack Easterbrook. The addition of thousands of twinkling lights and a sound system, to amplify the holiday music, has made the sleigh even more attractive as it winds its way through the Maywood streets. The efforts to get Santa off on his appointed rounds each Christmas Eve has become a major undertaking for this volunteer squad.
Knowing that many family holiday celebrations could be marred by a glitch in Santa's visit to Maywood (bad weather, flat tire, etc.) it is only upon the sleigh's arrival back at squad headquarters after touring Maywood for four hours, that there can be heard a sigh of relief that another Santacade has been accomplished!
Old Time Classic Photos
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