Cyclists from Busytown Bikes ride down Lisbon Street in Lewiston during Saturday night’s Twin Cities Christmas parade. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
Floats and decorated city vehicles made the annual trek through downtown in the Twin Cities Christmas parade beginning on Park Street in Lewiston and ending at Festival Plaza in Auburn on Saturday.
The evening started with a chance to meet Santa Claus at Kennedy Park in Lewiston after the tree was lit, to get a photo and to tell him and Mrs. Claus what you want this year for Christmas.
More than 1,000 people were lined up on Main Street in Auburn to see the parade finale and to have their own chance to meet Santa.
Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte and Lewiston Robert MacDonald welcomed guests to the celebration.
“Myself and Mayor LaBonte, this is our last one,” Macdonald said. “We wish you a very, very merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah.” Both mayors are leaving office this year.
LaBonte thanked the city staff that helped to put on and organize the parade and the people who came out to celebrate.
“It’s a great time of year for us here,” he said.
Once the Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah were lit, people on the Auburn side of the river had a chance for photos with Santa.
Leanna Fox, 3, of New Auburn was very excited to meet Santa.
“She’s been talking about it since we saw him in line,” her mother said.
Leanna said she liked the whole parade, but Santa was her favorite part.
Tammy and Jeff, new residents of Lewiston who declined to give their last name, were there with one of their daughters, who was equally excited to see the jolly old elf.
“This is our first year here; we’re pretty excited” Tammy said. “We’re from New Hampshire, so this was pretty big.”
Floats included Whoville, created by employees of Central Maine Credit Union, complete with the Grinch and his dog, Max; a Polar Express sleigh; deer and dogs from Hammond Lumber; and a rock ‘n’ roll motorcycle brigade from L-A Harley-Davidson.
Ember Dube, 5, and her sister Sage, 4, of Monmouth, have their photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the gazebo at Kennedy Park in Lewiston on Saturday night.
After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
Arya Desrosiers, 5, left, and her sister Emily, 8, right, of Lewiston, have their photos taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the gazebo at Kennedy Park in Lewiston Saturday night.
After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)After lighting the tree in Kenedy Park Santa and Mrs. Claus joined LA residents and businesses during Saturday night’s parade as they roll down Lisbon Street in Lewiston on their way to Festival Plaza in Auburn. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
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