On Nov. 23, York Road was alive and engulfed in the spirit of the community, ringing in the holiday season at the 65th Annual Holiday Parade.
What, When, Where
The Hatboro Holiday Parade is a free community event organized by the Hatboro Chamber of Commerce. The parade is held along York Road and celebrates the borough’s businesses and community. It features a mix of floats, marching and musical groups, military units, youth and dance organizations, emergency services, scouts, community groups and local dignitaries. This year’s theme was “Small Town, Big Heart.”
HSU Involvement
The Hatters Student Union (HSU), formerly known as the Advisory Board, is an HH club that focuses on school and community events. HSU has been part of the Hatboro Parade for the past four years.
“HSU is dedicated to improving and maintaining school spirit and pride here at HH,” said adviser Mrs. Melissa Burleigh.
By participating in this grand event, HSU is giving back to the community.
With the theme of “Small Town, Big Heart,” the students in the parade committee immediately had a clever idea for their float: the Grinch. The iconic character from How the Grinch Stole Christmas is from a small town that he learns to embrace in the movie. Once he does this, his heart grows, and he comes to love Whoville.
The HSU committee that designed and built the float was made up of ten students. They worked during many Lunch and Learn periods to complete the features of the float. They painted large canvases that depicted presents and Christmas trees, built large cardboard presents to decorate the float and a fireplace with the Grinch peeking out of it–all in the aesthetic of Whoville. To tie the float and its theme together, they had a Grinch impersonator in costume walk behind the float. More HSU students walked with the float and the Grinch, representing the club and its support and appreciation for the community as they handed out candy to the children. Additionally, HH Partnership Club walked alongside the HSU float with a poster and flyers, asking spectators to participate in their clothing drive.
Community and Crowd Reactions
Chamber President and Parade Chairman Timothy Schultz was quoted by the Greater Hatboro Chamber of Commerce saying that the Hatboro Holiday Parade is the “largest celebration of its kind in Montgomery County.”
And with the massive turnout of spectators and participants, Mr. Schultz was not exaggerating. The sidewalks and crosswalks along York Road were packed with people. In fact, to get ahead of these crowds and secure their spots, some dedicated spectators put out chairs and blankets the morning of or even the day before the parade.
As the sirens sounded on the York Road speakers, indicating that the parade was about to begin, children and their families were bursting with excitement to see the sights of the parade. Watchers, especially children, were thrilled to see the easily recognizable HSU Whoville float and the Grinch. Children hugged and called out to the Grinch, showing their admiration for the famous character, and jumped up and down eager to receive candy from the equally joyful volunteers.
For HSU members, the parade was more than a seasonal celebration—it was a chance to represent HH and give back to the people who support our school year-round.
