Lions Club Christmas Parade Returns To Moorestown Dec. 4

MOORESTOWN, NJ — After a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Lions Club Christmas Parade will once again march down the streets of Moorestown.

The parade steps off at noon on Dec. 4, and will be led by mayor and council, Citizens Of The Year Julie and Pete Bender, Lions Club President John Burkhardt and Ms. Senior New Jersey.

This year’s theme is “Snow Much Fun,” and participants will be judged based on their consistency in keeping to the theme. There are prizes for first, second and third place in the float and marching group categories.

The participants include the Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts, and any other group that chooses to enter a float or marching group. Groups are not permitted to advertise, and no politics are allowed.

Although the deadline to participate was Nov. 1, anyone who still wishes to participate can contact parade organizer Pete Thorndike at 856-912-8622 by Nov. 28.

There will be two string bands, pipers, the high school band, Caring Canines and theBurlington County Animal Alliance. Animals are always welcome. Fire companies and first aid vehicles will also participate.

It begins at the corner of Chester and Central avenues, marches up Chester to Main Street, turns down Main Street and heads west to Church where the reviewing stand will be standing. It then breaks up as it turns down Church toward Route 38.

The parade has been held annually for 60 years, according to Thorndike. 2020 was the only year in which it was not held, as most events were canceled due to the pandemic.

During this year’s parade, Brownie Troop #20002 will collect toys for the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department Toy Drive. They will collect new, unwrapped toys from spectators as they march. There will also be a collection box at the Moorestown Community House the day of the parade.

The girls in the troop will dress up like snowflakes to show the uniqueness and beauty in every girl as their representation of the parade’s theme. They will each wear personally designed snowflake tutus. They will be collecting toys for one of the organizations listed below:

• Christian Caring Center
• Delaware House Health Services
• Department of Children and Families, Division of Child Protection and Permanency
• Foster and Adoptive Family Services
• House of God Outreach
• Oaks Integrated Care - Aspire Youth
• Providence House Shelter
• Servicios Latinos
• Sisterhood

See related: Best Holiday Gifts For Everyone On Your List 2021