Though winter conditions threatened Saturday’s festivities, Gloucester prevailed with an estimated 2,500 in attendance and 54 entries participating in the 2025 Christmas and Holiday Parade.
The streets were packed beyond expectation for the cold weather, according to Hunter LeClair, Tourism, Marketing and Events Manager.
“We were so thankful to our many partners, including Festival of Trees, Main Street Association, ArtWork, The Cook Foundation, and Sanders, that planned activities along Main Street to bring a vibrant energy to the historic village while families waited for the parade to start,” she said.
This year Gloucester County added a sleigh and life-sized reindeer at Tucker Park, in addition to the existing photo backdrop, music, festive lights and snow machine, said LeClair. The decorations will stay up through the New Year for families to explore.
“I cannot thank all our participants, volunteers, and staff enough for keeping the positive holiday spirit going,” she said.
Parade winners
Parade winners include: Jesse Joyce Tiny Homes (Commercial float), Guerrilla Wrestling (Youth), Scouting America (Community), Living Waters Church (Church groups), Gloucester County Public Schools Transportation (Schools) and Gloucester High School Marching Dukes (Choreography).
One of the youngest watching this year’s Gloucester parade was 9-month-old Emory Smith. Parents Kasay and Kelsey Smith brought Emory to her first parade.