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Reindeer
Charlotte Thomas, 8, of Brooklyn, part of the Camp Hero program, in association with Rude Dog Boxing, was excited about the Holiday Dazzle Light Parade Nov. 28. More photos on page 6. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Dancers from the United Styles Dance Academy in Thompson took part in the parade.
The Putnam High School band marches into place as the parade starts off from Grove Street.
It's a wrap. She's getting a little help getting wrapped in the lights.
Putnam Police Chief Christopher Ferace, left, next to one of the department's parade vehicles.
WINY car all decked out. And in front Gary Osbrey all decked out and in front of that the banner for the Grand Marshal, the Putnam Police Department which is celebrating 125 years of community service this year. More photos Wed. night on Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger FB page.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — Gary Osbrey, the face of the Holiday Dazzle Light Parade, said it best: The crowd “seemed really pleased to have their parade back.”
Osbrey, chairperson of the parade committee and founder of the parade, said this was “possibly the biggest crowd ever.” Last year, because of COVID, the parade was a “reverse” parade where the floats were static around Murphy Park and parade goers drove by the entrants.
In its 20th year, he said, “The crowd was especially enthusiastic this year.”
He said Joy Blackmar, who is in charge of entries, reported at the wrap-up meeting that the final count of entries was 150 this year.
The Nov. 28 parade started from the Grove Street Monument and the entrants lined up on the right side of the street. And kept lining up. Lining up all the way down Grove Street and down Killingly Avenue. And the side streets held entrants, too.
And everything was lighted — floats, dogs, horses, cars and people big and small.
The parade started at 5, led by Osbrey who was replete with lights himself — from his lighted glasses to his glove finger tips and bow tie to his sneakers. From Grove Street the parade went through downtown via Front/Pomfret Street, onto Kennedy Drive and Providence Street before finishing at the new Municipal Complex at the corner of School and Providence streets.
The entire way the streets were lined with parade goers, three or four deep in some places.