WEST CAPE MAY — While autumn has just begun, preparations for the West Cape May Community Christmas Parade already have started.
The annual parade is held on the first Saturday of December and marks the beginning of the borough’s holiday season.
This year will be the 57th annual parade, which steps off at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 and follows the same route every year.
Starting at the firehouse, paraders march down Broadway onto Perry Street and finish the route on Carpenter’s Lane in Cape May.
“That weekend is pretty special, and there’s definitely a buzz in the air,” West Cape May Mayor Carol Sabo said. “If you try to get a room now, it’s all booked. People put their chairs out the day before. It’s an incredible weekend. Anyone who lives near or on the route has a party.”
Every float dons bright lights and festive decorations to match the merry mood of the evening. Some feature live music, ranging from bagpipes to banjos, for onlookers to enjoy.
“Everyone loves the string bands because people are dancing in the streets,” Sabo said. “I love the high school marching bands, and there are some really creative floats.”
The parade consists of community organizations and businesses coming together to celebrate the holiday season.
Sabo explained that the parade’s unique variety of floats is what makes the event so exciting to watch.
To make the parade possible, the borough depends on fundraising and donations from West Cape May residents and local businesses.
“The parade is funded strictly through donations,” Sabo said. “We have some recurring donors who have always done dinner fundraisers, which have been great. We rely on individual donations.”
Borough commissioners organize their own annual fundraiser. Last year, they sold custom mugs and this year they’ll be selling beer steins. The borough will have a table at West Cape May’s Oktoberfest and will also be selling them throughout the next two months at Borough Hall.
Sabo explained that they’re always encouraging and open to people pitching new fundraising events.
“Whatever a local business wants to do, we encourage them to reach out,” Sabo said. “These fundraisers take a lot of time, so you really want to get the best bang for your buck.”
To avoid using any taxpayer dollars for the parade, the borough relies on this fundraising.
“Some years are more challenging than others,” Sabo said. “Last year we were really struggling.”
By JULIA DiGERONIMO/For the Star and Wave
