NEAA North End Christmas Parade Dec. 12

For the 40th year, the North End Athletic Association (NEAA) will conduct its annual North End Christmas Parade with the arrival of Santa Claus by helicopter at Puopolo Memorial Park on Commercial Street.

The holiday event will be held on Sunday, December 12 at 1pm and features many characters like Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Santa’s Elves, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Wally the Green Monster. Candy and balloons will be handed out.

Following his arrival, the jolly old gent from the North Pole will be part of the North End Christmas Parade spreading Christmas cheer through the North End streets.

Leading the parade will be the Aleppo Shiners’ Clowns, the Wilmington High School Band, Tony Barrie’s Italian Band, Saint Alfios Band of Lawrence, the Roberto Clemente Twirlers and the Massachusetts National Guard Marching Band.

In addition, a horse drawn wagon will carry children alone the parade route. This year’s event is dedicated in memory of James Pallotta. The event is sponsored in part by North End Against Drugs, the Nazzaro Community Center and the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events.