By Patricia Breakey
DELHI _ O'Connor Hospital's 11th Annual Christmas Parade begins at 11 a.m. Saturday on Delhi's Main Street. Mike Howard, O'Connor Hospital facilities manager, said he has been organizing the parade since it began and expects this year's showing to be the best ever.
Monica Pawkett, O'Connor spokeswoman, said the parade will be followed by an open house at the hospital to celebrate the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
The Holiday Open House will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main lobby of the hospital, which is on the left rear side of the hospital.
"It's going to be the biggest and best celebration yet," Pawkett said Friday.
The entire Delaware County community is invited the celebration and festivities, Pawkett said.
Howard said the parade will line up at the Charles D. Cook County Office Building at 10 a.m., with the Charlotte Valley Central School band leading.
Thirty-five to 40 units will travel down Main Street and then turn onto Kingston Street to end at O'Connor Hospital at 460 Andes Road.
Howard said the Laurens Central School band will march near the center of the parade, and the Stamford Drum Corps will keep the beat at the end.
D.J. Tito will play music on Main Street for an hour before the parade. He will announce the floats and various groups and fill the gaps between the bands with holiday music.
Howard said most of the parade is comprised of floats provided by hospital departments, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, fire departments, churches and area businesses.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will traverse the route in a horse-drawn sleigh provided by Wayne Bush of Mount Vision.
Howard said Roxbury Constable Steve Williamson will be mounted on his horse and will accompany numerous other horseback riders.
Other participants include Mayor Rich Maxey, the state police and numerous fire departments.
Howard said the entries are judged and trophies are given to the winners.
"This is a fun time of the year, and the parade traditionally starts the holiday season," Howard said. "We always hold it the first Saturday in December.
"Everyone at O'Connor loves doing this. It's nice to give back to the community," Howard said.
The parade is open to participation from anyone. Organizers said floats, marchers, antique cards, bands and carolers will all be welcome.
Howard said he works with the Delhi Chamber of Commerce on the parade. They encourage businesses to have holiday sales to bring people to Main Street. He said the Chamber also donates $500 annually to sponsor the bands.
WDHI FM radio will be at the hospital from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for a live remote broadcast.
The O'Connor Hospital Explorers Club Post No. 35 will also hold a bake sale.
Photographs with Santa and Mrs. Claus are available for a $1 donation and will be taken in the waiting area of the Outpatient Specialty Clinic on the second floor of the hospital.
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Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
