Hampton's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

While the bid to bring the Boston Red Sox 2013 World Series Trophy to the Hampton Christmas Parade wasn't successful, local officials say there's a lot to be excited about during a variety of holiday events this weekend.

The annual Hampton Christmas Parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Hampton/North Hampton town line on Lafayette Road (Route 1) and continues down Lafayette Road until turning onto Winnacunnet Road and ending at Hampton Town Hall.

This year's theme, "Vintage Hampton Christmas Parade," celebrates the Seacoast's history and an era gone by in honor of Hampton's 375th anniversary this year. Vintage machinery, equipment and music courtesy of over 80 participating groups and floats in the Experience Hampton Inc.-sponsored parade will help give the festivities a vintage flare, according to Ginni McNamara, the parade coordinator.

The grand marshals of this year's parade are seven clergy members from various local houses of worship: Pastor Brian Abasciano of Faith Community Church, Rev. Deb Knowlton of Hampton First Congregational Church, Father Gary Kosmowski of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Baptist Church, Pastor Mark Lowe of Hampton First Baptist Church, Rev. Steven Notis of Hampton United Methodist Church, and Rev. Chip Robinson of Trinity Episcopal Church.

The Methuen High School Ranger Marching Band, the Pease Greeters, Run for the Fallen, the Wells Fargo Stage Coach, a 1941 Chevrolet Coca-Cola delivery truck with a March King band organ, and a 1941 Chevrolet Coca-Cola truck with a fully-functioning Wurlitzer band organ will all appear in the parade, in addition to numerous local groups, businesses, police and fire departments, and, of course, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Road closures around the parade route will begin at noon Saturday, and various nearby businesses will host holiday celebrations with live music and entertainment starting at that time. McNamara said events will be held in Depot Square and at Kennebunk Savings Bank, the 401 Tavern, Xtra Mart, the Partridge House, Ron Jillian's, and The Community Oven.

The parade is just one of many things happening in Hampton and North Hampton this weekend, though.

Hampton's annual tree lighting ceremony and celebration at the Marelli Square Gazebo in the center of Depot Square begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday. The event includes food, horse-drawn hayrides, holiday carolers and more.

North Hampton's annual tree lighting is at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the North Hampton Bandstand at the intersection of routes 111 and 151. The event includes caroling, and hot beverages and desserts will be provided across the street at Centennial Hall.

The Hampton Parent-Teacher Association's annual Breakfast with Santa is also this weekend. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and ends at 11 a.m. The cost is $2 per person, although children get in free if they bring one or more items of the Lend-a-Hand Food Drive.

All attendees of any of the holiday celebrations — and attendees at any and all events in Hampton or North Hampton for that matter — are encouraged to submit photos of the events to Kyle.Stucker@Patch.com so the images can be featured on Hampton-North Hampton Patch!