12.6.2025 41st Annual Fall River Children's Holiday Parade

Okay, thank you. Hi, I am glad that we said the right thing while we were waiting for our queue. I'm Pam Martin with my co-host, co-orker, and good friend Pauline McGrath.

Hello everyone. And thankfully, while we were practicing doing our voice test, we did say the right thing. Today is try to tell our students that. Pretend that mic is always live.

So, today's weather isn't so bad. We got a little drizzle right now, but I think we'll hold down here.

Yeah.

Why don't you kick it off, Pam?

Yeah. Hey, it's the 44th annual Children's Holiday Parade here. What can we say? We've been doing this a long time. We have wonderful students behind the camera, and you're in for a real treat today. There's a little bit of everything. Recreation, huge sponsors, supporters, organizers. I run out of labels. volunteers are responsible for this massive effort. One of the best watched in New England.

Yes, that's for sure. And one of the largest in New England, too. And they say that this year's parade is also one of the largest that they've had in quite some time. Got lots of inflatable floats, some some repeat units coming back and some new ones this year.

Looking forward to all of that. So, I am as well. As we know, it is the season of giving um when we're here. Um so, sponsors in our parade include Bank Five, St. Finance Hospital and Hasbro Hospital, Cosmopolitan Dispensary Incorporated, Scotty Lopes of Citywide Glass, South Coast Hospitals, Suffach Construction, and St. An's Credit Union, and a massive list of volunteers.

Oh my. So on the parade committee, I'd like to also say thank you to everyone involved, but especially the recreation parade committee, which include Grace Gerling, Tom Martin, Susan Reposa, Victoria Maniatus, Chris Nardy, Rob Omeia, Paul Fagleoli, and Steven Marces.

Perfect. Let's get right into some of the action. I want to also talk about another agency that's so close, near and dear to our heart and quite visible this time of year. It's Citizens for Citizens and they are asking for toys. Operation Christmas under the leadership of Crystal ARPA has listed many toy drop off sites and we're happy to help you find those. Crystal this year, however,

says donations unfortunately have fallen to about half of what they were in the years past, but the need is greater. The 11 other months of the year though, for six decades, that's 60 years, CFC offers a steadfast hand up to more than 30,000 low-income families right in our area.

Citizens for Citizens is like an old friend constant compassionate selfless, and quietly serving with little fanfare. I think our mission of helping people try to become self-sufficient um is still, you know, very impactful and what we do here, but we just want to lend a hand.

CFC headquarters is on Griffin Street.

The location has been added to and regional centers opened. The agency continuously pivots to provide relevant services.

I have to commend the staff, not just the current staff, but the staff for the last six decades. Um, we've been very lucky. We had strong leaders to make CFC reach 60 years. Mark Sullivan was the executive director for decades and his passion was helping people and fighting for people. At age 15, Elizabeth began her CFC career working in child care. Now, after years of juggling budgets, she said she works

well with changing administrations at the local, state, and federal level. You know, we do see heartbreak and, you know, the moms coming in for the toys or, you know, parents that are trying to get ahead, trying to work, but child care is so expensive. So, it's great that we have child care programs. We have, you know, the afterchool program, the summer program along with early Head Start and Head Start and then the

Operation Christmas program. We have food pantries. I remember vividly Mark telling myself and a few directors that you are one paycheck away from being on the opposite side of the desk. And I have never ever I'm getting choked up forgotten that. In 1977, Barbara Travis rallied civic-minded women to collect gently used toys, clean and make repairs when needed, then organized citywide distributions. This act of

charity morphed into Operation Christmas, the area's beloved live auction and fundraiser that for 30 years delivered joy to children who might otherwise go without.

3,200 children will receive new toys through this program.

Tom, Bill, and John are all on TV raising money for needy kids. You see, Operation Christmas was the program's name, helping Citizens for Citizens gain citywide fame.

When you grow up with this and you see this and you live this, you don't want this to happen to anybody. This is a little way of us people who have good jobs to come out and help the people who don't have anything to make sure that the kids do get something for Christmas.

I need uh donations. I I need that the people that have come for years that drop money in the fishbowl.

Hi. Uh we're here at the fishbowl at the Harbor Mall in the director's chair.

And welcome back to the Operation Christmas Tellathon live from the Harbor Mall on channel 13 fall cable TV and WS radio. I'm Tom O'Ry along with Christ Lenny Camp.

Soon it will be Christmas Day.

[cheering] Whether or not it's white or or something else, I think that what we really mean is that everyone will have a happy Christmas. So is the future hall of famer pet store.

What's the name of that store?

Animal. All the money you bid, we don't keep goes for a great cause.

We It goes right back to the city of For all the great and we're not on commission. $51 and 110's gone America back in uh in July and and they did a great performance then and everyone loved their 12 to six with our grand finale here

Travis passed away in 2022 but people remember her boundless joyful energy in front of the camera and her tenacious attitude, moving non-stop behind the scenes, working to provide, helping anyone who asked. That was the foundation built by Barbara Travis and Mark Sullivan 60 years later and still on solid ground.

Oh, it's emotional to watch that piece.

Some of our good friends have passed on.

Happy Hec, Steve OG, Grady, of course, Barbara, um, you know, Mark Sullivan, and just to know that they were such a fabric of the city and I am so proud to call those people longtime friends and I knew them even before cell phones. Okay, so we go back a long time from the Harbor Mall. who had students going there and so much good was done. And so again, if you can help agencies in the

area, that's what this season is is truly all about. Um, so thank you to the people who have been involved with CFC.

You are just one of many of the backbones that make this community really tick and I am honored and will have all of you in our hearts. So, uh, as I mentioned, parents of more than 8,000 children. So that's Greater Fall River and Taton. They've applied for toys, please. That's just through CFC.

Other donations have come through agencies including Salvation Army, United Way. We do have a lot of groups that handle that fortunately Fall River and police departments. Um, we'll do that. But please, if you can drop off a toy unwrapped at any of the locations, it would be greatly appreciated. A huge need.

Huge need. Oh, whatever you can do. Um, as I mentioned before, this parade is the largest of its kind in New England. And Pam and I had the pleasure of judging several floats. There were actually quite a few floats this year and you know I had a hard time judging this because I I had three winners. Um we can't give it up but you'll get to see them.

You'll get to see them. They get like a big beautiful badge. But I I do have to say Pauline it was there were a lot of right like we were on the golf cart which was going very slow. So we had to we actually had to start running.

Listen I must be from Massachusetts cuz I walk faster. I'm getting impatient. We did and I don't usually, but I did this time.

Um, but the floats are just glorious and we promise a lot of fun. Uh, we do have up to 10,000 viewers right now. They might be watching on Facebook Live or streaming. Um, my mom warned me this morning there would be sprinkles at 1 p.m. Um, she was right.

I'm mother's always right. might be a little bit more than a sprinkle here or there but my good buddy Evan, uh, you know, drone man amongst other titles, he had to take the drone out of the sky for a tad to uh, give it a minute to dry down, but look at all these excited people. Some brought Wow, they came prepared.

They really did. Perhaps we should have done the same. Small tent, maybe.

A small tent. We do have one. We we just, you know, it's blocked away. But do stay tuned because um the tree lighting is at 5 at dusk. We'll have more on that later on once some of the units go by. But this is like a 125 unit parade.

Something for everybody.

And the floats there had to be I don't I didn't count, but approximately maybe 30 32 floats or so. Would you say that's I would say that's right.

Yeah. And and Reno is not part of the parade committee this year. He's watching from home. Hello, Reno. He's 97 years old, I believe, if I'm doing the math correctly.

Yeah.

And there's a special guest this year, the grand marshall of the parade, Troy Brown. Former Patriots. What did he win?

He was with three Super Bowl. I have my Patriot scarf on today. I know we're not supposed to plug, but um my daughter's actually going to the Super Bowl with her dad if they win.

So, let's keep it up. Pats.

Yeah. So, I got to plug the Pats. Um, but anyway, also it's a mo Santa will be coming later. I hate to give up his mode of transportation, but it looks like it's motorcycle this year.

Yes, I think it was last year. A couple years ago.

He's an avid fan.

He's an avid fan. Santa makes time for us. Rain, Sle, Snow, these folks are all ready to go. Um, and so he'll be here. I want to remind you that Fred TV and FRGTV, we are your official stations for the city to broadcast student projects, municipal meetings, weather emergencies, whatever. We do it. Channel 9 18, we now have an HD definition as well. If you need to shop, go to Mccor's. Candies can

be found at the historical society on Rock Street. They do usually sell out, so if you're looking for the traditional mccor, get over there.

Also pet food. Pet food dog Pauline.

They need these pet food very badly.

Saxon and you know forever paws definitely there's so much need even at the high school and at the school levels they're doing winter coat drives and good drives and everything possible not just toys gift cards. We had a thing about for Dery High School where staff were asked to give gift cards. The deadline was yesterday. So um I heard that they got quite a few. So it's all good stuff.

Everybody's in need.

Well, we'll hear a little bit more too about the red kettle campaign. I also want to help my friends kick off that.

But I mean, as you mentioned, Pauline, Fall River Public Schools, they really rallied children, staff, the PTO group group, excuse me, will appear in this parade. But some have gone one step further and they are ensuring that everyone in their school community will have a warm holiday meal. So from Sylvia Elementary, take it away, Trevor Chimera.

United Way, one of the world's best recognized nonprofits, is reliant on donations and volunteers daily. The agency provides direct need-based assistance.

The United Way, I feel, is in every aspect of Fall River from helping families, the elderly, providing them services, sending them to places where they need services. They are well known in the city and they're a great partner.

At Frank M. Sylvia Elementary School, care and concern are evident from the bustle at the back entrance. Employees of Bristol County Savings Bank work alongside school staff to complete food baskets for 45 families.

Gratitude is always a a big theme, especially around this time of the year.

And it's just amazing. Maybe it's from what they've grown up here learning with us, but how much kids show gratitude and feel gratitude and want to help.

Bristol County Savings Bank was founded 180 years ago and continuously steps in as need fluctuates.

Fall River is my city and I think we all feel that way who work in the Fall River office. So, the Fall River crew always helps out every year. discreetly since September. Teachers here note which families appear to have fallen on hard times.

Our staff has been here a long time.

I've been here for like the last 10 years and we really know our families.

So um whether it's talking to the families that we've known or um working with teachers to identify newer students and just out outreach too. And you know the wonderful thing is a lot of people say no I'm all set this year or one year they need it one year they don't.

The United Way opened a Fall River chapter nearly 100 years ago.

Generationally the United Way has been there with hope for so many in so many ways.

Especially coming off of the SNAP pause.

We're looking at um a lot of uncertainty around food access which is why this initiative is really timely. Um we're also in the process of distributing our annual food grants that were going to go out anyways. um and looking to increase the amount of money that we're able to give to food distribution partners from last year to this year.

Nice job over there, Trevor. And also, of course, a shout out to the volunteers from Bristol County Savings Bank and Patty Armstrong with the United Way.

They are worker bees. They ask where help is needed and they simply arrive on the scene. This is where Plaza, look at this. It's so amazing. And up top, if we keep on going, um, we'll see the AIDS flag. December 1st was World AIDS Day.

And you can see we're zooming out here now with a beautiful Braga in the west.

Some of these wooden cutouts were actually made by the carpentry department at Fall River Public Schools at Dery through the CTE program. And you'll see them throughout city parks as different parks hold winter wonderlands and events. So, these new cutouts are pretty spiffy. I love the one at North Park. I walk by there and my friend and I use it as like a frame. Maybe I'll have to put it on Facebook.

I know. I still use Facebook. Some nerdy. Um Well, I do too.

I know.

I I do want to bring it back to a serious moment just though. It is my just a project that's so close to me is the 988 National Hotline. You know, the season is not always jolly and fun and games for everyone. 988 is the National Mental Health Awareness Hotline 247.

It's manned by trained volunteers. For anyone who's feeling the holiday blues, the seasonal depression, the stress of overshopping, family issues, food needs, please call 988. Someone is there to point you in the direction of professional help and just be there to talk about it. Um they're they're amazing. If you are a vet or a first responder, 988 and press one. I hear the parade, but let's talk

about some fun stuff now. Pulling more events.

This weekend, we actually have the I will say famous. I'll say famous.

You can absolutely say famous.

The Dery Craft Fair that was happening at the Derby High School. I'm told that there's about 200 vendors or so. Um, and you could buy a lot of people get their Christmas shopping done there. I think they're reasonably priced. all kinds of stuff, whether it's crafts, sewing, arts and, you know, uh paintings, um candles, anything you want. Really a great place to show.

You can even decorate your own wreath there. Now, I just want to move my wreath. Okay. It's Sorry, my tree. Um I made that.

And that tree has a little tradition.

Yeah. I'm afraid not to have it. But the Yeah. The arts and crafts fair with Jim Rogers over the years given out over $1 million. Again, money that's raised and stays local for little ones like this as they start on their college career in years to come. So, there's free admission, good good parking on Elbury Street and along the um area. You'll find it right in the Jim Rogers will be right in the fieldhouse.

Yes. Dery Fieldhouse. And that's happening on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 400 pm. So, um I know we have the parade sometimes in Fall River. They actually do so much for the community that there's a lot of things happening all at once. So, um but if you don't get to make it there to today because you're here at the parade, you can definitely go by there tomorrow till 4:00.

We will head over there tomorrow. And again, a really great fundraiser that keeps things um local. I can actually hear the parade. You can't see it yet, but making its way north here. And hi, hi, hi, hi. Hi. So happy. So, we've got Fred TV students that are behind the cameras. They'll be helping direct with Mike and Alex in the back. They'll be helping Gary with the live camera as

well. And it's really what we do best at Dery and at Fred TV is involve the young people. Um, FR TV is so much more than just broadcasting video, right, Pauline?

Absolutely. It's more than just that.

It's writing AV scripts. People don't realize how many times they they write AV scripts or screenplays or produce.

Producing is a big job.

As well as the editing, the camera work.

They get to use multiple different cameras. As you know, students here today, McKenna Borges is behind the camera that is on Pam and I. Uh, Sophie's Doro is actually directing. Uh we have Lamaro who's down on the ground here doing the handheld camera with Gary and Alex. And then we actually have a couple of uh volunteer elves in the parade. Aiden Aiden White and Braden Kinder as well.

Hi McKenna. Well, she's focused.

Yeah. Some of our um some of your students dressed took up the elf costume.

Yes, they did. And they were so excited to do so. I was happy. Um they we got to see them when we were judging the floats down at Kennedy Park and they cut me off.

Uh we'll get you in, Evan. All right.

Yeah, we'll take another one. Uh so we're just getting our umbrellas in order here, folks. Thank you. Thanks, Evan.

My goto guy.

Try to Is that okay?

Hey, return the keys. Don't drive away in the Mustang.

I feel like Mary Poppins.

I know. Um yeah, I thought it was going to be a sprinkle, but you know what?

They're prepared for anything. Some groups had dropped out a little bit, but others picked up. So, Grace makes it work. It's really a welloiled machine and and it's stressful. Um, just today making sure that street vendors were following some of the rules that people stay behind the designated areas because not only is fun important, but my gosh, safety. Safety number one. So, we've got

wonderful men and women in blue helping out as well as volunteers with some of the EMS and EMA agencies to make sure, see right there, little ones are safe.

Um, to make sure that everyone stays where they need to be. Used to be a tradition of throwing the candy canes.

That's no more. Um, and and I get that.

It's dangerous.

I totally get it because the kids want the candy, so they run out into the street and there's too many vehicles in this parade for that to be a safe environment. So, That's really [screaming] become a bit of an issue.

We're going to have to be quiet soon and dry out our scripts [cheering] here because I can hear members of the Fall River Police Department, including led by their motorbike unit. We will of course remember and look for our chief, Kelly Fertado. She will be leading the men and women in blue at some point. Uh and and I always say the reason we get most of our public service employees at

the front and at the end is because in the event that there is an emergency elsewhere in the city, these men and women are able to do what they can at the parade and then exit to another area of the city. Though we do have six or so fire stations spread out, we have to be aware that our EMTs and our EMS receive more than 31. I want to put that in

perspective. 31,000 calls in one year.

That includes some mutual aid, which is if you ever have a chance to look in the mutual aid program, it's just a fascinating the way the cities work together to assist one another with mutual aid. So, I can hear them now. I think Pauline will let the motorbike unit take it away. And um, of course, Fall River Police under the direction of Chief Kelly Fertado.

This is like

What's going on?

[screaming]

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

[screaming]

Big motorcycle noises with it.

Heat. Heat.

holiday parade, extraordinary arts. They provide entertainment across the region.

They also provide it entertainment for circus. You can rent them. It's wonderful. Our grand marshall is Troy Brown. He played 15 seasons with the Pats. Hey, Mr. Brown, thank you. He's a threetime Super Bowl champion and a Patriots whole hall of famer. He is our grand marshal this year.

And he's there with his family, his wife and children.

Happy to have him. Let's go, Pats. We're kind of hanging in there again. Oh, tell Mr. Brown get special directions. Okay.

Hey, stick around for some cookies and photos with Santa. Um, you can probably hear too. I think it's a Bay State band coming up right now.

Yep. That would be the They were founded 1920 founded in New Bedford across New England and the conductor is Frank Nunan and he's been directing the band since 1998.

Really good guy. And um, again, these are bands that operate on a shoestring at best budget. So when they are holding events across the city and there's a small admission, please support them. And I love it that it's generational. So the older guys are teaching the younger kids and and it's just keeping that spirit, that love of entertainment, that joyful community language of music. So let's take a

listen right now to our Bay State band.

This is like

position.

I'm trying to get myself as fast as I can.

Just keep on.

2.

Thank you, Bay State Band.

This is the Fall River Police Department emergency service vehicle, the medevac. You might have seen this around town. It's serious business.

snowstorms, hurricanes, serious fires.

It's a pretty heavy duty vehicle. You can see the top there. And it is new to the fleet.

I believe the Massachusetts State Police Trooper is next. Their headquarters are in Worcester. There you'll see their mounted units at summer events at beaches, K9 security and they are followed by Boston Gaelic bag pipers. They've been around for 25 years. An interesting story about this.

They they were founded after the death of Boston officer Jeremiah Hurley who was actually killed while uh diffusing a bomb in the Boston. Sad story. Yeah, it's amazing when you get to look at some of the history of these boots. But let's take a listen now to the Boston Gay Lake.

We have elected officials following the Gaelic band, Mayor Paul Kugan, JR Carol Fiola, some of our new members of the school committee. now and the city council losing people Stewart was the last one I saw. Okay, try to call you out.

Dr. Bronnhard, assistant super Dr. Tracy Curley, our super Brian Raposo.

Lost me again. Um, but there's some kids excited and they came equipped with their blue slickers.

[cheering] I think I saw Justin Therber in there, too. And coming up next is a Colonial Navy of Massachusetts wearing their replica uniforms of Colonial Navy in 1775 and Drum Corps. This is the only colonial era naval militia reenactors in the United States. How cool is [cheering] that?

I love this stuff. I just love this history stuff. So, let's take a listen.

Um, they are literally replica uniforms right down to the buttons. Oh, you might get might get kicked out. They do allow modern eyewear. Thank you so much, Colonial Navy. [cheering] Our

fire chief is Jeffrey Bacon.

In the spring of 2026, the Fall River Fire Department will be recognized on the state and national effort for heroic life-saving effort of the Gabriel House fire 6 months ago.

Disgraced.

So, so sad. And these are the kids that every day see their moms and dads go off to work.

to [screaming] uh it's so much more than a firefighter 100%.

I mean, it's car crashes now. It's hazmat. It's overdoses. If you serve the community in any capacity as a public service man or woman, I thank you. I respect you and I certainly see you every time you're out and about.

Grateful to have you. Thank you.

That's Chief Jeffrey Bacon.

The fire department does a lot for the community, too, with touch a truck and all these special events they do. We typically cover that one down at the Flint Fire Station, one of the many six or so fire stations throughout the city.

And they really get the community involved. They encourage children. Our students have [screaming] also been there um filming, working, interacting with the community, and it's always a great story. It's one that I truly love to hear. Yeah, it it's so wonderful because, you know, you're getting kids to understand safety, you know, stop, drop, and roll.

And they see Sparky the fire dog come out. And I'm not going to talk over this.

[screaming]

I think I see Deputy Chief Richard Aguar in the in the center of your screen.

He's with Fall River EMA Special Services.

He plans evacuations. He assists at other emergencies. Looks like some family members got to join in here, TOO.

OH, YEAH. The more the marrier. The more the marrier. Fall River EMS is le left led pardon me by Chief Beth Fonts.

[screaming] As I mentioned, Fall River EMS can respond to 31,000 [cheering] calls annually. Annually, the Department of Public Health has rated our Fall River EMS among the best in the state.

Thank you, Chief Fonts.

[cheering]

I love those [screaming] fun characters.

They're enjoying the parade just as much as the kids.

You know, the weather has been a bit downtrodden, but I'm kind of thinking it might be letting up. Maybe that's the optimist in me, which might be making a rare appearance on this day of joy. Um, but wow, look at all the people.

The community came to represent here.

Yeah.

And so did our emergency vehicles and departments.

Yep. But you think about it, it makes perfect sense why they're up in the front and why we we also end with the street sweepers because we have some animals that will be appearing. Some pretty cool animals. Um, more this year than ever before, too. I think we're coming back over here. Let's see.

Yeah, here we are, Pauline. So, a good turn. Oh, I just tapped you and you're a little wet there. Um, just a little, but we've got our umbrellas and I do think it it's it's letting up a tad. Um, but coming up, we still have some hopefully Wall-E from the Red Sox. Um, all kinds of events, different bands.

And as I say, it's it's a loud it's a live production. We've just got to be fluid knowing that everyone is doing their best. And despite weather reports, we just don't know. So to the people that are watching at home, to the people who are down on the street and will watch later on, thank you for your patience.

Take it away.

Okay, that's the Bristol County Sheriff's Honor Guard and the Bristol County Sheriff's Department led by Sheriff Paul Herro who was elected in 2022. Remember the Bristol County Department Sheriff's Department hires for so many jobs. Um, for the right man or woman can really be a career. You can make a difference.

It's nice out now.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. Not nice.

Pleasant. Bearable.

Pleasant would be Pleasant's more accurate.

Okay.

I thought I saw the sun peek out. That would be classic New England weather.

That would be beautiful.

So, if you look at the center of the screen, you can see Lamar, our Fred TV student, and he's assisting with some wh some of our camera people.

I think that was Gary Lee.

Gary's out there on camera. And here we're seeing the Colonial Pipers Bagpipe Band. It's a youth centered bagpipe band founded 50 years ago. And the pipe major is Patrick Sullivan.

Hello Lamar.

Lamar turns around right at the He's waving the wrong way.

No. Uh so here's another one. Look at this. Young old boys, girls. It's just so great to keep that tradition going. I want to take a listen to these guys. The pipe major is Patrick Sullivan. Can we say that already? Yes.

Okay. Thank you.

looked around. I didn't see the American Red Cross. No Red Cross or Wall-E or DC or Wall-E would be coming after this.

Yeah, but see they went to the sheriff.

If I put my glasses on, you see the paper? I can't see the screen.

Well, if you stayed around with us, it's brightening.

And remember the joy we have starting at 3 right here at Government Center. Oh, there's Wall-E.

Wallally's here in the Boston Red Sox mascot. Always a fan favorite.

Yeah, he's just cute. He's just fun. The green monster named after of course and wife.

Tessy is a female love interest. I don't know where she is today.

I hope they're still on good standing.

Yeah, maybe Tessy has another appearance, but I know Wally gets sad when Tessy's not around. Smokey Bear is next. Another iconic character.

This character was created 100 years ago, reminding people that only you can prevent forest fires. Now, I had a smoky bear lunchbox in the 70s.

Probably worth a commercial.

Yes, that was it. Yes. Only Yes. And um he's being driven by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. That's a group I belong to and volunteer with.

protect more than 450,000 acres of woodland right here in Massachusetts. Oh, these two gals are like my face.

I definitely would.

This would be a yard sale if I were out there.

Are you kidding me?

IN MY DAY, I definitely could have done that.

They are absolutely gorgeous. They're absolutely Oh, we lost it. and in this rain and wearing these bulky and anyway Henry Lord Community School.

My good friend John Aore is over there as as well as Dan Rigo. And here they come. Okay. Hi, Grinch. I don't know if there's a theme. It's just we go to Henry Lord. We're we're a K through eight community school. Show up and have fun.

They're proud of their school.

They sure are proud to represent.

So, they had the Grinch Christmas float that we saw earlier when we were judging at Upper Kennedy Park.

So, cute float. Creative.

Adorable.

One of the PTO moms had a Grinch hat on and I liked it because it was the Grinch before he turned happy.

Oh, God.

That's my kind of Grinch. But anyway, um that is the Grinch.

Yeah, that is the Grinch. So, Henry Lord Bulldogs um do so much with the community school that um as far as having kids there from K through eight.

I mean, these relationships are established. You're with these kids from little first graders, kindergarten up to heading into middle school and high school.

Recreation, plenty of time to make an impression, make make an impact. And this is the recreation and the banner. They offer basketball, judo, homework help, dance, yoga, twirling of all ages. There's so much that recreation does for this community and the children and families within it. It's incredible. I'm amazed at all of the things that they do, the events that they plan, and how much they

give to this community.

Hey, this the sailing too, right?

Yes.

I didn't even know that was part of recreation.

Chris Nardney runs that program. Our student Braden Kinder had done a story on that last spring. So, yes.

Yeah, it's it's beautiful what what they do. Um, so you can see the recreation holding their banner and their vehicle dressed as Santa Claus. Grace Gerling is the executive director and she is the brainchild keeping this parade going.

Literally, they regroup a couple days after the parade, decide what went well, what they could do better. But let's take a listen to this dance from the recreation twirlers and cheerleaders and dancers and students galore.

And here are some of those animals that Pam was talking about earlier. We've got the National Lancers of Massachusetts and volunteer cavalry militia troop work force with our National Guard and State Defense Force.

I don't think people are aware of how well trained these animals are. Um, I have been to recreation events and reenactments where it's it's the reenactment of the Civil War, Revolutionary War, and these animals do not flinch as, you know, the guns are guns are going off, as things are being fired, as cannonballs are being fired.

These horses are so well trained to assist at emergencies when officers need to get into tight spaces. They also are a mascot of sorts. Everyone wants to see an animal and they allow children to understand that men and women in blue have different roles. Animals are treated respectfully. We're able to safely approach police with, of course, the understanding that these are animals at work. So, thank you. That's

beautiful. The Lancers. Absolutely gorgeous. Amazing animals.

I guess if one of the horses gets tired, Pauline can hop on the buggy.

One was having a little too much fun.

They're hopping to the music.

Almost looked like he was dancing.

Yeah, that's where waste management comes in, right? We just said that.

I just got Evan's joke.

Yeah, Evan's joke. Be quiet, Evan. Please. Going to get me in trouble. Here we go. Waste management.

Um, yeah, that was thoughtful because some groups they have to wait until the end and then the street sweepers go through. But, all right, we got uh let's see, Lerno. No, I think it's this little guy on the dirt bike. Where are we?

[snorts] Let us get regrouped here.

But in the middle, I'm not sure here. In the middle, we got Spongebob. So, I thought this was this hot rod Jace.

That's quite the crowd there.

Yeah, look at that.

Oh, I see our elves, our Fred TV volunteer elves, Aiden and Braden in the background there.

They were tasked with handing out items to the crowd.

Okay. So, there's Spongebob.

We have Hot Rod Jace. I'm gonna say five-year-old stunt rider.

Although, these guys look a little older than five years old. So, yeah, Jay's got his old family with him.

But so, let's move on. Let's move on to uh this.

Yeah, I'm trying to see. This one is LNO with their giant inflatable snowman following being carried by sans. And we definitely thought this this float was very creative. Remember the wall that they had done in the back?

It's not shown now, but it will be soon.

Yeah, they were good.

Good job.

Luterno school is located on Anthony Street. They do such a great job with the children over there.

And they are followed by our first inflatable.

This is the snowman and it's carried by employees of St.

An's Hospital. Again, a major parade sponsor. There we go.

Great job, LNO.

You know, the moms and the PTO crew put so much effort into this.

That's so creative.

Good job, Lerno.

Hey, we saw them scurrying around. It was cold. It was early. And they got it done. All right. Our giant inflatable.

So, these come from Michigan and they're filled with a mix of helium.

They're not inexpensive. They're a little expensive. We're looking I Lamar, sorry. Hi, Braden.

Braden and Aiden.

Aiden and Michael Duza, a former Fred TV student who had mentioned to me that he must volunteer in this parade today, which was so nice.

I don't think so.

Thank you to all of you.

So, our inflatable snowman being held by St. Hospital, Brown University is doing some twirls right in the center intersection. And you know, these guys and gals only get maybe a 2, threeh hour training session just to maneuver today, despite the rain.

Knock on wood over here. There is no wind. I mean, there's no wind today.

That's what we have to worry about with these floats. And they have to go through that training, as you mentioned, where they have to dip below and underneath the wires and and lights and stuff.

And it looks like we have the Dery marching band performing arts coming up. There's Trevor Chimera, a Fred TV student and he is actually homecoming king this year representing Fred TV club and Alexiana Ortiz is the homecoming queen and she was representing the Derby chorus.

Congratulations to the two of you. Also, congratulations to the Derpy Hill Topper Marching Band. They've won a slew of things and they've grown double in size since 2021. The recent awards include 2025 US Bands Division 1 Open State Champions, 2025 New England Scholastic Band Association Division 1 Champions, 2025 Quinsey Holiday Parade Division 1 Champions. Congratulations, Gerie High

School. They are led by Julia Clinger.

Great job. Wonderful students. You look great. You sound great.

Beautiful.

I just love the marching bands. They're uh they're my fave. And you know, these kids are, it's just kind of fun to see.

I do sadly recognize year after year the same families camp out early. When I was driving here this morning, there were families walking from like Langley Street to get a good spot. We've got Fall River Nutrition Program under the direction of Mr. Robert Cutting. He provides district-wide meals as well as summer lunches. Guy never stops. Very helpful. Honestly, Bob Cudding and his

staff, they are wonderful. They do so much even for the dery clubs, communities, athletics. They're always donating, volunteering their time. I truly cannot thank them enough.

This bus is the pace bus and I heard it's being driven by Derek Faras.

I don't couldn't imagine that when I saw the size of it, but hi.

Well, we saw Derek earlier. Um, so this is the parent and community engagement center and basically I mean you can kind of figure out what it does. It it takes the need and it brings the people and the need together. So for families that need vaccinations, registering for school, questions about medical care, housing, that bus will travel the the city and assist parents where it's most

needed. Oh, there's some cute kids aboard. And right now, he's so happy to be part of the parade. I love it. And you know, that's a great idea because these packages are wrapped perfect for the rain that we had earlier. Wow, they had a good show. A turnout.

Good turnout.

Good job, Spencer Bordon.

You know, many years ago, they'll probably be mad. My kids did the Tanya parade a couple times and I don't know, we had weather kind of like this.

My daughter just went with it. Brad was the one who was kind of oh mom, you know. Um, but hey, what do we say? It builds character, right? It it's all for a good cause. They're with their friends. They're making others happy.

And to be able to say that I was in a parade is kind of cool.

Oh, very cool.

I would have loved this when I was a kid.

The community connections van that just went by, the nonprofit organization servicing adults with developmental disabilities. in a day program setting.

And here we have speaker of the day.

Uh Matt, is it I think it's I think the sign just went by so I can't tell. Okay.

Oh, you're right. You're right. It is Morton Madison. Yep. All three middle schools.

All three of our middle schools with their mascots.

Um, it's it's funny how the schools go through different mascots and they change um what mascot they're going to have.

He needs some music.

Yeah.

Oh, he's got some music.

It's good stuff. It's good stuff.

I believe if our lineup is correct, this is Dery High School.

First time in the parade as a float slashvehicle.

Yes, that is the Dery High School float.

Principal Jess principal, excuse me, Dr.

Jessica Stevens. Great. She does such a wonderful job over there. You know, Dery gets a bad rap sometimes because it's such a big school. And I think it just offers so so much to some of these kids.

They people don't even know it's a public school and a vocational school.

um in the in the truck I believe were Kim Tibertino and Jessica SA. They um are club adviserss and have a lot to handle over there at the high school.

Thank you to everybody.

Yeah, there were members in there too of the National Honor Society which are so helpful. They make appearances at school committee meetings to talk about what's going on not only at Stone but also at RPA and Dery as well. This is my favorite, the bookmobile. You will see this brand new bookmobile. It only got rolled out two years ago at low-income housing, elder housing, places where

people might not have access to the people's university that opened 150 years ago. Smile factory clowns entertained through the south coast.

Just call them. Wow, I'd love to have them at a party I go to. Balloons, fun, magic, face painting.

Thank you for this wonderful appearance in the center of your screen.

And those clowns also include funny bones who visit area hospitals to cheer and distract very sick children again with magic shows, bubbles, and art. We have the Brownie Troop now and the Girl Scouts Troop 1061 promoting organ donor awareness as one of their young Somerset members is in need of a kidney transplant. Founded more than 100 years ago, the brownies and the girl spokes promote female character, strength,

courage, and curiosity.

And there is one of our little inflatables there. Okay. Oh, that reindeer. He's going to fly into government's head.

I think he's a little frozen.

You said you needed windshield wipers.

This guy needs I do. I have my glasses. Oh god, I'm losing my mind. And it's only the first quarter. All right, next up we have the Old Colony Model Tea Club. This club was formed in 1967. Oh, wait, wait, wait. We went off the That's okay.

Hi, kids.

I think they they're going to need some So cute.

Listen, put the dish soap back. Mom needs to do dishes tonight.

Oh, that's funny. I never I do not remember seeing this. Um Yeah. Oh, there he is.

He's having a little too much fun.

Jeez, that's beautiful stuff.

Yeah. Back on the model M model T.

Pauline, these are always one of my faves. It's so fascinating to me that 15 million of these. Yes, that's 15 million rolled off the assembly line at Ford just between 1908 to 1927.

When going 20 miles an hour, you might get a speeding ticket.

So great. So listen, the Model T is generally bigger, but it's been tough weather for these guys today. If you have one of those rusty old Model T's in the garage, please hook up with the Model T. and they're happy to give you some ideas on restoring the truck, how you can register it as an antique vehicle and joining their crew. I just love that. Amazing.

Oh, you know, a lot of work.

Tons of work. I mean, remember we were if my dad saw a car like that, we'd have to stop traffic and he'd get out and ask about the year and the the horsepower.

Just amazing. Look at that thing. 100 years old. Nice job. Let's modernize right now with the next group.

So, here we have Joseph K's High School Cardinal marching band. They hold five national championships and four fourtime state champion titles.

Go Cardinals. That's my alma mada.

You good?

Okay.

It's my sidekick Evan. He was just checking in with us. He's going to try to get the drone up in the air. I don't know if the weather will cooperate.

Thank you, Case Cardinals. Under the direction of Pam Reed, let's take a listen.

Okay, this is our Fall River Public Schools Early Learning Center. A new takeoff. It's at Bristol Connelly High School now on Ellbury Street. Since the closure of Bristol County, uh excuse me, since the closure of Bishop Connelly, um we've opened this up for early education. And it works because it's only a two-story building. It's a great space over there and I'm glad they put it to use.

Absolutely. Absolutely.

So, I think this is paced nicely. Every year when we speak with Grace Gerling, who puts the rundown together, she has to put bands in certain areas, make sure they're divided by a float, get some kids in there. Um, a little bit of difference. We don't want to see all the bands in the top. Um, United Neighbors Association is 20 chapters in the state to strengthen families, prevent child abuse. They just do so

much behind the scenes work.

And to your point, uh, you know, mentioning the lineup and everything, that is a tough job. There's 130 plus.

And of course, you know, you do have some people that can't make it last minute, so you're moving things around or people that want to join us after all that that discover they can. So, it's definitely a big job. Much appreciated.

I know it's one of Grace's favorite things to do of this parade.

Um, pardon my voice, people. You know, it it is the season and we're a little horsearse this morning. It's just been a little bit busy. Okay, I see a drone flying over my head, so watch where you're going there, Evan. Um, we got the Huskys from Holy Name, the cheerleaders and their mascot. I want to say a big shout out to Eli and Libby from Coach Pam. I love swimming with you, too. And

we have a lot of fun in the summer. And you're just wonderful children. And you go to a great school and so many people care about you, including me. And I'm proud to be friends with your family.

And that is the Holy Name Huskys led by the cheerleaders.

Still going by. All right. Drones up in the air. There we go. Evan's happy. Nice shot.

Oh, here's what we were talking about.

This is Hot Ride Jace. Hot Rod Jace, five years old, everyone. Little stunt rider. He's been riding his electric bike since the age of two. And he's a favorite over at New Hampshire's Laconia Bike Week Rally. Can you imagine what a story to tell when he gets older?

Oh jeez. Look at him go. How much fun you get.

Both Both Pam and I have boys and both of them would have loved to do this at five years old. I just know it.

Then they waited Mine waited till 15.

Yikes. No, just be safe out there you two Wheelers. I speak to my son specifically. Um how proud and how much I love you. So be careful out there, Hot Rod Jay. Um it's amazing. Pediatric Associates now in the center of your screen. Really a staple here in the city up on Middle Street. Serving tens of thousands of kids, infants to teens, since the 1970s.

I feel that I know those characters.

What are They're minions. The float was Minions.

They did have a fabulous float.

Okay.

Yeah. See those those two?

I do not know. My kids are a little older. They weren't really into the miniony thing.

Minions. Yeah. Oh, the minions are big amongst young people.

Okay.

And the adults, too, apparently.

Yeah. I recognize the doctors. There we go. There we go. Nice job.

What a great job.

Pediatric associates right here on Middle Street.

It's nice now. I mean, the tablecloth is soaked. My tree is soaked. But, um, we got the drone up. People are starting to warm up. And remember, at 3:00, we're going to be opening up Government Center here for music, cookies with Santa.

There's a DJ. And the tree lighting is at 5. We got Fansa Elementary right now in the center of your screen.

Fansa is named after the first Portuguese female elected to the state senate. Mrs. Fansa rallied for women's rights. She was a real force to be reckoned with.

Known for her hats and her brutes all the time.

Ao Shriners, Cape Cod Fire Brigade and the crazy carts. The golf carts are outfitted as mini fire engines and the fireboats are custom carts. They're actually motorized dune buggy kind of things.

300,000 members of the Alipo Shriners worldwide and their main goal is simply philanthropy for sick children.

These are pretty done up, Pam.

Yeah, they're fun. I like the boats, too. Um, and and because the Shriners are a nationwide organization, it's funny that as you go to different parts of the country and see the groups up in Maine, up in Canada, areas of Canada, they have them more fishing boats. So, it it's just, you know, in Florida, you go down, you see a lot of golf cart, more traditional looking golf carts. So,

it's funny how the Shriners kind of adapt and change to to fill the need of of who they have here. This is Nicholls, our mascot from Bank Five.

Bank Five opened uh about 150 years ago when mill workers could open savings account with just five cents. And that nickel mascot is kind of just just stayed around. Portsouth High School marching band.

This is a 75piece band out of Portsouth, Rhode Island.

They're repeat, right? They're here every year. They have been here for many years.

Well, I like the festive outfits. Let's take a listen.

Mom, you for three hours.

Eat one. Eat.

Okay, so the vans continue on north to North Main Street where they've had their buses parked before and they hop back on. So, everyone wants to go first, right? Makes sense. But, um, patience is key. And as we mentioned, there there is a lineup They try to keep steady to separate our bands and our floats.

Oh, that only makes sense because then you wouldn't be able to hear each pair.

Yep. And now we're able to enjoy each one. So each group has one.

All right. I always like this kind of music.

Me, too. Feel like you can dance to it.

A cute high-fiving the kids and stuff. So you can see the viewing stand right there on the left. Um, it was packed before. I think the people have come back. They just ran ran off to get some paper towels to dry off the seats.

That's a viewing stand. We put signs out that say, "Play now, please, in case you uh uh have your instruments or wave to the camera as well." I believe coming up here, it's hard to see the sign, but I believe this is Carlton M. Viver Elementary School, named after former Mayor Viver, who served from 1978 to 1990. Yep.

Mayor Vivera still walks the boardwalk the morning. He's done so much for Fall River.

people missing. Is it Westall went by?

Don't know if that was part of the Jeep group. Maybe that got a little lost.

Um so so you can see from the drone up there Massuda is um manning the drone and yeah just it's exciting to see I it's amazing to me how much technology has changed just having when I started working 39 years ago in the city and now we got these drones and these cameras and it's just beautiful absolutely beautiful the drone shots are very Ah, here we go. The Mountain View Clydesdale based out of Bristol,

Connecticut. One, did you know one male Clydesdale can weigh up to 2200 lb?

Yikes.

This carriage can also be rented for weddings, banquetss, corporate events, any kind of party.

Hey, anybody want to take me for a ride on this? I'm up. That's easy.

They're a staple here. They've been here for many years.

I mean, they're absolutely gorgeous.

I think some of the most wonderful commercials were the Budweiser Clydesdale commercials. Oh, right.

They bring you to tears.

They really do.

And the care these animals get, the veterinarian care, the warmth. Look at that. These animals ride in style.

Look at that trailer.

They're having a hard time making the corner here.

Yeah. Beautiful. I can smell the diesel actually from it now. Um, but they're they're just amazing to see that. Always a crowd favorite, too, like you said.

Coming up, you can hear this band, Lacy Cheryl 5. They perform everywhere, especially locally in favorite pop, rock, country, spanning decades. Great band. I've personally seen them. Enjoy them very much.

Yeah, they're fun. They can be found at the Oriental Pearl, uh, Choicey, they get around. Tipsy Seagull, the Els. All right, Diamond Bengals. Woo! The vocational state champs. I'm sorry I'm talking over Lacy Cheryl, but I'm just so proud of these guys in Medford the other night.

Taking it home. Nice job, guys.

Good job, boys.

Look at the smiles. I wonder who wonder I'd be parading around with that trophy if I got one of those, too.

Amazing. Really great. Really great.

Yeah. What a game. What a game.

Bobby Bailey is the athletic director over there at the Bengals at at Diamond.

Bobby Bailey, our school committee members, is athletic director.

They're getting they have quite the cheering section. I was giving a shout out to Bobby Bailey. He's the athletic director at Diamond. Okay, good. Also our skull committee man. So, um I know Bobby was probably the next day. Um and so was Evan, my co-orker, our co-orker here, Pauline, because he had the the event broadcast.

And this is the Fall River Federal Little League celebrating 75 years.

Yeah, you know, these were one of my favorites, too, the floats.

Absolutely special. Um, so they will have their first pitch coming up this spring in 2026 and and it it's just great. They've they play all over the city. And uh, welcome to our parade.

Oh, I see a three. So, this must mean that we have a float that won. So, this is the replica wall from the Vietnam Veterans of Fall River.

Attended by the Nativity Village living nativity theme from First Congregational Church, the Vietnam Veterans of Fall River is a group of Vietnam combat veterans who advocated to bring a replica wall to our waterfront. And sadly, there are more than 58,000 American names on that wall.

22 are young men who were killed in Vietnam from Fall River. First Congregational Church teamed up with the Vietnam veterans of Fall River in order to bring that living nativity scene that we see. Thank you, Bill Dearis, Linda Pereira, Paul Paula Dearis, the whole crew I have over there. Gnome Surf, they're pretty good, too.

They I have friends that have had their their children over at Gnome Surf. They do such a great job. Surf therapy.

life-changing for some of these kids.

Yoga, art, all kinds of therapy, all kinds of surfing. And they take a lot of They have a lot of volunteers, too. I think they do it over at Horseneck Beach. Um Southshore Beach as well.

Yep. They um they do a great job. Um and they also come into the Dery pool occasionally. Yeah. To work with our lifeguard students there. So, thank you, Chris Anteo. He's the founder of Gnome Surf.

Very passionate what they do.

Absolutely.

And this is Miss Abby.

This float is being held by the Diamond Tech Honor Society as well as the National Honor Society.

And this is Abby from the Muppets.

Apparently Aby's quote. So I'll say it.

That's so magical.

I don't know how I did. Thank you for saying that.

I don't know. Um, usually it's Cookie Monster is more my speed, but uh, hey, no, Abby is a joyful pink character who speaks of inclusivity and just love and acceptance, kindness.

And so, it's only fitting that she's right here in the center of our screen having a little pause.

As Pauline said, it's the Diamond Tech Honor Society and the Diamond National Honor Society students who are manning Abby today.

Let's see. See what goes into it though.

So, Aby's on kind of this trolley.

You're P. Some are pulling, some are pushing Abby or the trolley and the folks in the back are taking direction from the ones in the front because obviously they're unable to see exactly where that street light is.

It's almost like a road team.

Yeah. Yeah. It's um and and and again I I mean some years have been so windy and we hold our breath and it gets through and it's actually pretty pleasant today.

is also in the inflatable costumes as well.

Lots of volunteers from Diamond High School. We thank you so much.

And again, congrats to the Bengals football team.

So, we should note that these floats actually appear in the Macy's Day Parade as well, supplied by the same company. Pretty cool.

That would be the Great American Marching Band, a military veteran organization. It's recognized as a patriotic employer by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Thank you for your service to our country.

Oh, Candy Candy Elementary.

Oh, we're on Race Street.

Oh, they got like a surf Oahu kind of theme going on there. That's cool, too.

But it looked like um in the float judging, if I'm correct, the Vietnam veterans came in third. It looked like that.

It looked like that. That was the number three at the beginning of the front of the vehicle.

Yes. Forgive me if I've missed one and two that might have passed earlier. I'm unsure yet, but that one just stood out to me. So, congratulations to the organizers of that. Joe Marshall, um, President Zabraga, so many people.

Joe Bisco had a hand.

Liberty Liberty Utilities.

Their slogan is energy and water for life. They're here with their employees and families.

And people going to be making some hot chocolate runs I think after Boys and Girls Club. Oh, another I can't say enough about this group. They run Camp Welch in a Sonet. That's a summer favorite for kids with a swimming pool.

Boys and Girls Club was founded in the late 1800s.

I loved the Boys and Girls Club and I actually went to Camp Welch, Minnesota.

Some of my best memories in in my childhood were from the Boys and Girls Club. I remember doing the hustle on the weekend when I was five years old with their jukebox, learning swim, um going to camp, arts and crafts, and they did so much for kids and still continue to do so. It's just it's just a favorite of mine and it's affordable and I think, you know, you go there for homework help,

there's really something for everyone.

There is not a kid that comes back from Boys and Girls Club and said, "Such a boring day." No, no. Homework help, instruments. They teach them pool and cards, uh, meditation, of course, moving your body, mind, and spirit to stay healthy. Um, the Bay Coast Bank is also here. This is the community bank since 1851.

So, get on the bus and improve your education. That's their slogan.

I've been inside that bus.

It's got some interesting things in there and anything that can teach young people about finances I'm all for. So, um kind of like yeah, save that first nickel like bank five. So, thank you Bay Host. You are also a sponsor of the parade and we appreciate that. Green school now, Green Gators.

They have an interesting and cute little uh newscast over there from one of their ESL teachers.

We've seen it. They've done a great job.

I think that they will probably be um future Fred TV students.

I hope so.

I hope so, too.

I want to run down again. A quick thank you to our major sponsors. So, I'm just going to find that page.

The roaming railroad is so fun. Again, this is a lawn tractor that's kind of been turned into the Raming Railroad. And you can rent the Raming Railroad, which is pretty cool. So, if you have that, I'll find it. I think it was on page one somewhere. But again, we're going to give a plug. So, the Big Arts and Crafts Fair, the largest in the region, really, free admission. Dery, you can get there

today before 4, but hey, save it for tomorrow. You're enjoying the parade right now at home or whether you're here. It is the largest fundraiser for the Fall River Scholarship Foundation, which was founded in 1979 by Mr. James Rogers. Nearly $1 million has been awarded, perhaps a little over actually um since I last heard this over the years. So, get over there today at Jerky.

Looks like we have the Express here.

Is this the sample? No. Lux can't score national competition. It's amazing.

Travel quite far.

Yeah, they've got offer all styles of dance, which is fun and for all ages.

So,

You bet.

Thank you. This is the SRTA, Southeast Regional Transit Authority, established in 1974.

during the summer rides are free and they go everywhere. They go everywhere. Family Resource Center, Family Service Association supports families during the Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Nice job. So things are drying up and I want to keep um reminding people about the importance of our sponsors. They include Bank Five, St. An's Hospital and Hasbro Hospital, Cosmopolitan Dispensary Incorporated, Scotty Lopes of Citywide Glass, South Coast Hospitals, Suffach Construction, and St. An's Credit Union. Oh, very cool. You're giving the parade away, Evan.

That's amazing. So, we're looking at Kennedy Park. You can kind of see where we are.

It's Government Center and Middle Street. You see the car still in the very center is Middle Street. So, we're kind of taking a southern view.

[bell]

This is a big ever after storytelling.

I think the princess is our favorite of those little ones to our left.

Yeah, they're beautiful. Thank you.

Thank you.

So, you can see these princesses at different events in Fall River, but of course to make your little ones party extra special, there are available to make an appearance. And thank you for being here today.

In the center of your screen is the mobile art studio called Griffin representing the Greater Fall River Art Association on Belmont Street under the direction of Dana Barnes and Coach Bear.

Looks like they had to make a quick stop there. We've got some beauty queens here.

Believe that is Ava Douly and I'm looking for my paper and Kalia the Miss Massachusetts uh Kalia Griffin it was excuse me uh Kalia Griffin was Miss Massachusetts 2025 and Ava Douly is an 18-year-old college freshman at LSU from Shrewsbury.

That's kind of cute.

Beautiful. Lots of horses doing the quick step. And I I think that's what I like it. It's open. People just say, "Hey, you have a horse? You have a little go-kart? We can find a place for you in the parade." Um, so yeah, Miss Massachusetts and Miss Teen Massachusetts were in the slays. um being pulled by these beautiful ponies and the Miss Massachusetts and the Miss America pageant overall is one of the

largest fundraisers for um young girls in the world providing them with leadership skills.

And I know Kalia Griffin who is our Miss Mass 2025 she's focusing on creating solutions for those who are unhoused. Um and Ava Douly her her um motto is initiative is choreograph choreograph your future helping the next generation plan ahead.

Artistic dance studio has a wonderful competition team that we're looking at right now. They're based out of Fall River for more than 20 years.

you know, when you can get a little boring going to like, I don't know, yoga or Zumba, but when you get to these classes and they're teaching you new steps and you have great music and it's really fun. So, I encourage you to go to one of these dance classes and and you're going to feel your cardio and you're just gonna and they're always creating new new classes, new ways of teaching.

It's just amazing. I mean, if for people who say, "Oh, exercise is boring." Well, you got to give this dance a try then. And um and the cardio and and some of the the That's my preferred Yes.

type of exercise.

It doesn't feel like work, you know.

Look at Grinches rocking out over there on the left. But tap, ballet, um give Fall River's Artistic Dance Studio a buzz. And um all ages, they'll find something for you. I think they even have a new Christian Christian dance class coming up.

Well, that sounds interesting.

Like I said, different. Yeah, something for everybody.

Oh, Grinch just made an appearance in the camera. That was perfect. Can't blame this stuff sometimes.

Um, so we've got the door John Doran Community School 2 coming into the center of your screen now.

Some of the schools did a good job.

Yeah. You know, all of FRPS under the direction of Superintendent Curley is invited to please kind of brainstorm and put together a float or have your students march. PTO moms and dads of course put in a lot of work as well and get the kids together. Live stream is now here in the center of your screen.

When we were judging, this was one of my favorites. M me too.

I don't know.

They put a lot of work into that float.

Liveream matches individuals with developmental disabilities, perhaps even brain injuries, to jobs, recreation, and housing. Individuals receive support to attain independence and lives that are meaningful and fulfilling on their own terms.

Look at the bubbles. I've got to be honest, I thought they would be in our top three.

As far as judging floats, next stop44.

That is not a young man. Young man, that is not a boy. Take your seats, please.

Take your seats.

And you can see that live stream is of course this year celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Oh, they do. They have number one right at the top. Am I missing it? Oh, the last minute. I hope I hope I'm telling the truth. be nice to have that. I don't know if they're in chat, but okay. So, yeah, I look like Liveream got number one. Um, but well, I think they deserve it.

Yeah. Yeah. You know what? In my book, we're all number one. All right. We got our Mr. Corsier here, the UMass Dartmouth mascot, Arie. You first joined the Children's Parade in 2010.

I mean, I'm a proud SMU grad now. I guess it's UMass Dartmouth. And I remember those days when it was SMU.

Yeah. Then they sent me a I don't know when they switched over and said if you want a new um diploma degree that says UMass Dartmouth, it's $30. I said I'll keep it. I'll keep the SMU one.

I hear another band coming and I know that that's the Titan Rehobith Marching Band.

Premier High School in our area. They perform both locally and up and down the east coast. They'll be coming up momentarily.

Yep. Number one. We were right. Oh.

Oh, thank you for that.

Beautiful. Okay. Thanks.

You did good.

So, live stream we're proud to say received number one placement in the float competition. Number three was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. And number two, we're still on the lookout.

We have the Falcon Marching Band right now from Dyon Rehob.

Heat. Heat.

Thank you.

Get all this.

Oh, these are the miracle fish puppets.

These are the brainchild of Mr. Vinnie Love Grove, and they are just a favorite since 1993 when they were founded out of Providence.

They've really received national attention.

Um, and I just love seeing these No two look alike.

We have party characters too in the center of our screen by Tabby. Unforgettable memories.

I think they also specialize in, you know, turning into princesses and princess parties and tea parties and story book entertainment as well.

Oh, good. They look like little snowflakes there.

Yeah, we've got a little stretch. So, it seems like a good time, too, to get through some of our reminders. So many schools in FRPS this season will be having their Christmas and holiday and winter concerts. So remember that the best way to find out is to check out Parent Square and also on our Fred TV Facebook page, we have a rundown of the upcoming concerts, what time, I hate to say it

out there now because things do move, but if you do go to Parent Square and certainly Fred TV on Facebook, we do a good job of keeping that updated so that you know when of course our roving cameras record the concerts. if parents and grandparents are unable to attend in person. And that's super important. I'm proud of that work that we do do to bring events such as this parade, for

example, to people who are unable to be here or even it's interesting to me when grandparents say, "My gosh, I retired to Florida, but it was so fun to see my kid in Don Rehobath marching." Um, or when they worked at Liberty Utilities or Certa Bus and now they've retired and moved elsewhere. So I think live streaming and having the ability to replay this broadcast not only on channel 9, channel 18, of course on

Facebook, on demand, YouTube, also on our HD channel 1072 as well.

1072. I'd be curious. HD sometimes scares me. Like it's not forgiving, not forgiving to our face. Um but yeah, it so there's so many opportunities um that we're able to see it now and and I think that's special. So, do make sure that you stay up to date with Parent Square if you are of course in the FRPS community and the Facebook page and those are updated so that you know where

to be for your students events.

Oh, my favorite. It's the Pony Club.

Pony Club has more than 1,700 members and they are open to anyone who has a Mustang from 65 up until modern day.

Pam, you need to be a part of this club.

Well, you know, next year if I'm not here Whoa.

I don't have a GT and I don't I don't squeal or tie my tires like you know. But yeah, so the Mustang Pony Club um 1,700 members, believe it or not, they started getting about 8:30 this morning. They were getting their cars in order to um prepare for today's event.

And now the sun is out. You see the full moon the other night? It was beautiful.

Full moon was beautiful. I think it was what? Thursday night. Yeah, it's the cold moon or snow moon. That was that was beautiful. Now we've got this weather.

What do we have here?

It's a little challenging to see from our screen.

Who is this?

Well, the sun is now. So, we have had everything. We've had clouds. We had rain.

Now, it's sunny.

Hello.

Lots of waivers here.

I'm still hoping to see what group they are from. Beautiful float. Nicely decorated.

Perfect for this parade in this time of year.

Wondering if this is studio life art.

I've got some dancing going on.

Studio Life Art.

There we go. You were right. Out of Tibetan.

They're out of Tibetan. Their motto is relax, inspire, and create.

Okay, I can look at that.

I like it.

And their theme is uh for their float is let it snow.

Yeah, it's a cute float. It's really cute. So, another dance studio. They really add so much though. They add so much to the parade. Art and dance classes. Yeah. There we go.

That's a nice shot.

That's a nice shot. It's pretty.

So, that's one way to stay warm. Okay.

So, they're jumping up and down the mile and a half and staying warm. That will keep you warm. If you're We need to dance.

I won't sing.

Don't tempt me. No, I'm not singing either. But um No, I won't sing either.

So, I want to remind again a plug out to um Citizens for Citizens celebrating their 60th anniversary working here in Fall River. They've always and only been on Griffin Street, that big blue former church. It's expanded, it's changed, they've opened different locations, but they are in need of toys this year. Please reach out.

Crystal Arpa is running the center on Eastern Avenue, which is kind of worked well as a one-stop shopping, food, clothing, and now toy pantry at at this time of year, too. But she has put the plea out that she is more This has been the worst year for collections and um Crystal's getting a little concerned because they not only service our kids here but also out to Taton. So if you're able to give

Didn't our friend Dave mentioned something that he was doing? Was it tomorrow or?

Yeah. So Dave Loy over here at Government Center is holding a fundraiser for CFC toys.

Um and and he makes a lot of appearances and does a lot for the community. So, thank you, Dave, if you're listening.

Um, Battleship Cove is also coming into your screen right now. USS Massachusetts, they have replica costumes, um, uniforms, and they are the largest, the world's largest collection of warships that we have right here.

Come visit Big. Never in the course of battle has Big Mie lost a sailor. That's amazing. Dorothy Cox Chocolates, another favorite. But hey, have you tasted their ice cream generations work side by side for a hundred years now at Dorothy Cox in Fair Haven and Fall River 2 now.

And these are the Girl Scouts of Southern New England. Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in.

Build confidence, character. Of course, there's all kinds of courses that you can take and badges that you can earn. I was a Girl Scout who was definitely another favorite of my youth.

Yeah. I mean, so if the Girl Scout cookies come by, we got Miss Fall River right at the top of our screen. Again, it's so, you know, these pageantss are so much more. These girls have to have platforms. They work on public speaking.

They pay make people aware of organizations and assistance and acceptance and they just do so much more and their reward is scholarship money.

So really it's an education fund and they really do learn leadership and working within the community public speaking. It is amazing. These girls train very hard for that.

They certainly certainly do.

So again, please remember our furry friends this holiday season. Fax and Animal Rescue League on Jery Street.

Forever Paws Animal Shelter on Lidwood Street. Always in need of food donations for the animals that are under their care.

Veterans Association on Pine Street under Ken Lec and Kim Wagner are also collecting items. Stumpies. That one's Stumpies.

Stumpies hatchet.

Yeah, Stumpies is fun.

It is fun. And you know, you could go there just with a group of friends or as a corporate event.

Um, I just want to say don't wear sandals to Stumpies. In fact, I think if you go in there with sandals or flip-flops, they say, "Ah, no." So, no, that may have been the Lizzie Bordon Museum that just went by earlier. Um, it was hard to see. And we've got the Seunk Warriors marching band.

They've been featured on ABC News as the band of the Did you know that 25% of Scon High School students are part of this marching band? That's incredible.

Well, I do now and that's pretty darn impressive. They also performed in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and to have 25% of your kids, that's pretty good.

So, something's going right there in Secon. Thank you. Keep it up. Keep up the good work.

[snorts]

So, the tree lighting is scheduled for five. Mayor Paul Kugan will illuminate the tree.

And at three though, right out following the prey, they're so much more fun that we'll get started right here at Government Center.

We saw um the deck getting ready for face painting.

Oh, this is on point.

This is Breaking Y on Point.

Breaking Point.

Breaking Point.

Yeah, this is Breaking Point Dance Studio. tiniest ballerinas, trendy tech dancers.

They have all kinds of classes there, whether it's ballet, tap, hiphop, jazz, point, you name it. Modern.

All right, that's it. I'm I'm It's over.

I'm I We've had five dance studios go by. I envy the glitter in the costumes.

Okay, I got to have my bling. If I remember correctly too, back when we did Operation Christmas, this group was a part of our program as well. So, they've been around for a very long time here in Fall River. Folks, I think that's most rewarding, too, when we look at some of these agencies and these businesses that are celebrating h not 10 years, not 20, a generation. We're talking 30 plus to

have been able to survive and assist the community, give back to the community, and just form those relationships. It's something that you look back on as an adult and say, "Hey, I was a part of that. That's cool." And so to these young ladies here in the screen, but again, it's open to all.

It it just it's a fabulous opportunity, I think, to to build teamwork and character. Nice job, girls. And they're making good memories, too. This is going to be And here's some little ones. It's going to be a fun story to tell later on.

It sure is.

But I think that's heartwarming as we'll see later from Salvation Army. It's really again a mixing of generations because we have to get the young people involved. Oh, I see Todd and Aussie right over there in the center now.

Okay, this guy just, you know, hot summer day, got some errands, didn't want to leave the pooch at home. You could try this falling. Bruno's a little big though.

Bruno might be four pounds. I don't know.

Well, wait till you see Aussie.

And he just kind of strapped Aussie on and it's one of those errands, right?

It just went in one summer. They cranked up 800 miles just running errands. Now they've got a Facebook page. They've been featured on like Good Morning America. So here he is in his evil.

Yeah. And just like I don't know. You see stuff like that and here I was just shopping for a hat with a picture of Bruno and I.

Oh, you thought we were all cool, huh?

Well, well, no. Todd's appeared in St.

Patrick's Day, Fourth of July, and now here he is for Christmas. But, um, yeah, it it's kind of funny. He He's a good guy and and he wants to to make sure that people know that animals are our friends and and care for them in this cold weather as well, as you do. Treat your pets like your family. Bruno and Lucy, Pauline.

What do we have here?

This must be the YMCA because uh Full Play Project of the YMCA Fall River Lightning Swim TDS. So this is the YMCA because I've recognized that young man in the driver's seat. Um my friend Ray Ko that is his grandson. So YMCA of Fall River again founded in the 1850s right on North Main. It's amazing these agencies that have morphed. The YMCA recently went through a $10 million renovation. And that's another group

that will have something for everyone from infant swim to elder exercises.

Well, you can tell who's coming next. I sure can.

The YMCA.

It's on North Main Street. They assist young men down and out. Now, all ages, infant swim, aerobics, [cheering] arts and crafts, summer camp, homework help, child care, you name it. And it's fully handicapped accessible.

That's right. It's beautiful what they've done with the YMCA and you walk into that building now and they still preserve some historic touches and to think that we have an agency from the 1850s. I mean before the Civil War and it's still in the same location. So it brings me right back to my point of of success just breeds success.

I wonder if these K young young young people here are from the ultimate defense martial arts school celebrating teamwork, mental clarity and focus, body mechanics, self-respect, control and fitness, and of course, lots of fun.

This has got to be the No Cares car cruisers car enthusiast. I'm assuming we're a little out of order here, but that's okay.

They raise money for uh during cruise nights, shows to give back, raising lots of money, being a car enthusiast. What could be better than that? Doing something you love, raising money to help others, or it's the ponies just coming back again, a Mustang in the middle or a Mustang going by. But remember, a lot of these car companies are these car car and um heart rod clubs are open to

everyone. It it's cruise nights shows and and you know a lot of the people say they learn a lot, right? Like what did you do to soup up this car? Oh, I had problems here so I did this.

Alex Melo is on handheld down on the street and he must be feeling like he's working for NASCAR again.

It might be downshifters car club, too.

We had a couple of them in the float us, excuse me, in the parade this this day.

So, uh, but I think the 41st children's holiday parade, we're we're doing okay here considering we started with some rain.

We have the Flint Neighborhood Association.

A clean neighborhood is a safe neighborhood. Now under the direction of Bernardet Samoi.

It's one of the oldest neighborhood organizations in the state.

all volunteer. They hosted a couple of debates. Hyron Cabraw, they hosted a couple of debates. Carlos Caesar's on that float and um really really were impactful I think this election this election season. The theater rats.

This is just to wish be fully inclusive theater company. Wonderful. I love this.

Talk about diversity inclusion award from Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters.

Everyone can flourish. Everybody's included. I love this on so many levels.

Yeah, it's just a win-win. There's There's no negativity to that. So, um, theater rats. It's kind of funny.

I like the name, actually.

Yeah.

We have a bunch of people in the screen.

I'm not sure if this is another school.

candy shop. I see that going by. I don't know. Well, thank you for joining us.

Happy to have you.

Elmo's to the left of Alex over. Oh, we just lost them. Yep. More with theater rats. So, they're all part of Theater Rats.

Okay, makes sense. Know Pam and I have this wonderful big monitor here and sometimes we occasionally will look back trying to see a little bit of everything what's coming up.

Oh yeah, this was family heating and cooling. Um so they had a float as well that we went by at down at we were I think that one was at lower well mid Kennedy. Um but really cute. You see their colorful fleet of vehicles going around the city.

Um, and it and it's obviously what it says. It's a familyrun business. It's local HVAC and they have kind of a winter wonderland theme going on here.

Beautiful trucks. Really fun.

They have a a saying, the team that brings the heat when it's cold and keeps things cool when it's hot.

Like that.

I like it, too. We all need our slogans.

So, the parade, um, I can see tons of food trucks already lining up. So, my favorite is the what's cooking cupcake.

Okay, don't tell anybody.

Sometimes people will say, "Wait, it's $5 for a cupcake." Uh, honey, it's like it's a cake. Okay, I focus on that.

You're getting your money's worth. And I love to support. Ah, number two, the Elks Lodge number 118 drug awareness program located at the North Main Street Rotary. It's a volunteer group with worldwide chapters, scholarships, baby diaper collection drives food and toy awareness, and Elroy the Elk right there represents drug awareness and prevention. Next weekend we'll be hosting the National Elks Basketball

Shootathon right at Dery. My shout out to my good friend Nancy Carpenter who does so much with the Elks and my mom willina Pelleter who is also a member and the La Points John and Christine who also are members of the Elks. They do so much. And as I said, they want number two on their floats. Nice job, folks.

Oh, here's our mobile adventure van. All right. All right. Now, this I got to tell you, when I see this at one of the parks in the summer, I just push the kids right aside and jump to the front of the road because this is environmental education for youths everywhere. So cool. They have footprints of animals, can make bookmarks, all kinds of fun stuff.

Trustees of reservation with their mobile adventure van. And there is a beautiful shot of the drone that Evans got peeled. Wow. You can even see the ball fields, huh? Funny.

All right, so a couple of my favorites.

The trustees just went by. The elks, of course. Um, thank you to Stumpies for making an appearance. Lizzie Bordon House is on the National Ghost Tour.

Those folks were dressed in Victorian era attire. Um, all of our fabulous bands that came. The Clydesales were absolutely beautiful. the nonprofit agency CFC Recreation United Way YMCA.

Coming up, this looks like it's the man marching band, I believe, per house band, Golden Age, Patriotic, popular marching music professionals from college and high school levels.

Yep, it sure is. Megan marching band.

Merry Christmas. You're saying

Wow. Now that's cool. I want to put my hands up.

Put your hands in the air.

Look, I can see myself. See my hands waving right below the Christmas tree.

So great. I think the first time Evan flew the drone, we were in a Lizzy Bordon Cemetery. Okay, there we go. How?

How? Okay, that's scary. Lizzy Bordon Cemetery. And there she is. These folks are from the Lizzie Bordon House. Tour guides, of course, dressed in their Victorian era holiday attire. They are part of the National Ghost Tour. Get over there to Lizzy's if you haven't yet.

Okay. Fall River United is the youth soccer travel team. They will be heading to Ponta Delgada San Miguel Azors April 2026 for an international tournament.

So a great group here, Fall River United.

Take it away, Pam. Yeah, I won't.

I want people to keep watching. Hey, Where are you?

That's so fun. Wait, the tree. Did you get the tree everywhere? No.

No one can see the lights, Pam.

I know.

Oh, this is fun. Pauline, you were telling me about this. I didn't So, I did not realize until recently that the Factory of Terror has been around for 30 years here in Fall River.

That's insane. That's crazy. And they're actually open. Their horror gift shop is open this weekend for Christmas shopping. I don't know. That just seems but but you know there are people out there that love horror horror genres of movies gifts you name it. So there you go. They're open this weekend everyone.

So go by and shop.

If they sell voodoo dolls I'm they're going to sell out baby when I get there.

Oh Pam.

No but it's just funny. I agree Pauline.

I think of the Factory of Terror and then you tell me they're in the children's parade. I went they are and you can do your Christmas shopping.

It just doesn't Okay. Okay. Curiosity.

Jeep club.

Jeep club.

Like-minded people enjoying off-roading, socializing. They'll do charity work, social events, and more. Have to have a Jeep to join.

I got a good buddy, Susan Bertran. Your buddy too.

Oh, yeah.

She's a staple at South Coast in that bright blue Jeep. Sue is so generous and giving and just a lot of fun. So, the Jeep Club originated in New Bedford, I think. And um again, they same thing.

They do charitable events. They drive by hospitals when children are looking out windows. They appear in parades such as this.

It's just fun. I just love seeing what makes different people tick, right? We all have so much below the surface. Uh don't judge that book by its cover.

Jeeps are fun.

Oh, yeah. My late coworker, Phil Sabatino, had that Jeep and uh I don't even know how old it was. We'd go over the Braga Bridge, the doors would be off. It was the one time I was like, Phil was so reserved, but in that Jeep man, he was reckless.

Somehow I cannot picture. I couldn't either.

I own Phil, too. And I I would have loved to see that.

I'm like, Phil, how fast you go over the brain? Ah, such good so many good good memories of of good people over the years. I'm blessed to be have worked with so many.

and been helped by so many and I've helped too.

Did you hear that? All right. These are the tobaca. Now, this is very interesting. This tobogen family. So, they're the chowder heads.

So they are actually um they're a proud family rooted tobogen racing team and they're actually going to nationals in Camden, Maine this coming February and their racers. So this story is the Tobogen racers launch through a 400 ft gravity shoot across a frozen pond. Now I don't know about you, but somehow that just doesn't seem exciting. Or maybe it's a little too exciting. I don't

know. I'd be afraid that the frozen pond would melt and Oh, not in not in northern Maine. Um, we we just had Red Ho Red Oak, excuse me, hospitality go by as well. So, there's a a slew of restaurants in that crew.

Tipsy Tobog and the old grist milk canned Heat. Um, Gathering Grounds Cafe.

So fun. They've had some amazing book talks over there and the book club that I've gone to. They hold events for diverse experiences, family focused, many of them free. I brought my mom down to the carousel where they have a Labor Day concert and Elmo's making an appearance.

These restaurants are always very decorated very nicely every season.

Yep. They employ a lot of people. They care about the community. They've saved historic buildings.

They have made lots of contributions.

And I I like to I like to keep it local.

You know me, I say that all the time.

Elmo is absolutely adorable up here. And he's quite large.

Remember though half an hour ago we saw him in the park? Yeah. Because the drone was flying.

Oh, seagull up there like what the Looks like he's going to come up and grab it.

Yeah, I think so.

So again, this is the Diamond uh National Technical Honor Society and the Diamond National Honor Society that is volunteering their time to carry this float. That is definitely a beast of a float.

Yeah, sure is. And I believe they have some nutcrackers around the float as well or in a little bit in the parade also. Um, diamond volunteers. And we're seeing the Fall River Titans right here.

Youth football and youth cheer,

practicing their skill right in the parade.

They were founded in 2019.

Um, and these are instructional clinics of course for child athletes.

Nice job, Falcons and Titans. Thank you to Stop and Shop. They appear here as well. They run a food bank out of Derpy High School as well as well as other off-site locations to assist the community.

Boy, Alex has been on that camera all No, it was initially Gary Lee with Laro helping and recently Okay, now we got Alex. That's right, Gary.

Carrie and Lamar had to take a little There we have Dilva Landscaping and Construction. What a nice job they did with this float.

Yeah, it's a it's a lot of work with that uh that camera. They get heavy. You know that.

Looks like they have quite a few uh Oh, there's a cat on there, too. Oh, that's impressive.

A big cat. A big cat. A machine.

I didn't see it.

Pam and I is We're getting a little cold and frozen out here. That cat.

Oh, the bobcat. Okay. Okay. I She's I thought you meant Hello, everybody. No, no, no. You were thinking of your thinking of my cat. All right. Um, so they've got the Grinch themed float. This is the Daryl Par and family with the Grinch themed float. and um call them for landscaping services. Thank you so much.

Happy holidays. This is our LGBTQ awareness group led by Sha Connell. They sponsor Fall River Pride Day every June. Sean's up top there.

Shawn is quite a character and he is just loud and proud a good person who is there to help. A couple weeks ago, I was there when they raised the transgender awareness flag that honored the victims of crimes and violence against transgender and people with different sexualities. Um, and for a whole week, we had Government Center lit up in that beautiful pink and blue color you see

over on the east side. So, thank you, Sean, for everything that you do.

John ran for school committee once uh perhaps perhaps 10 12 years ago and that's where I met him first.

He was a little grumpy earlier. We're judging.

No, no, no. The Grinch.

Oh, the Grinch.

The Grinch that just went by.

I've never seen Chan Grump.

No, no, no. Not the Grinch. Okay.

Oh, I haven't seen these movies, but um I don't know. The Wicked franchise is massive.

The Wicked movie was wonderful. I will say I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it, but actors, actresses did a phenomenal job.

the script writing, produce, everything.

I was up in um Dartmouth Mall with my friend Carla the day that this second one just opened and I'm sitting there saying, "Why are people walking into the mall with prom dresses?" Ah, it was opening day for this wicked number two.

And some of the gals were dressed as either the wicked witch or the prom.

Here's the Fall River trolley.

So remember, the Fall River trolley can be rented out for special parties, but it's also available to take kids to different field trips down to the front perhaps to see the waterfront with the memorials and uh that and that's really important.

So right now they're dressed as a Polar Express.

I love that stuff. You know, you could just think about when a street trolley really did run, right?

And here's the Crusaders, senior drum and bugle core out of Boston, currently world champions of drumcore international competition.

Imagine that.

No, I mean that's pretty cool. Pretty cool.

That's pretty cool.

All right. I think we've dealt with just about every element of weather from a broadcast perspective, a technical perspective, camera, and you know, sunlight shining bright and drone. I mean, you name it, we're we're going against a lot.

Completely everything. Yeah.

Um, but you know, the quality stays pretty good. Let's take a listen.

Oh, here we are. Santa Claus has arrived with his main squeeze. Mrs. Claus, sponsored by Recreation.

Beautiful horse and carriage.

Oh, so pretty. Stunning, huh?

Oh, that's gorgeous.

Wow.

Just so pretty.

What a way to end the parade, too.

What a way to end it. A beautiful drone shot.

Those horses are gorgeous. Wow.

Yeah, recreation. Really?

All they need now is snow.

Yeah, I'm okay with that. I'm okay with Why not? I was kind of wondering today if um that that would indeed happen. We can see again we're looking over at the Braga to the west and that is the wonderful Grammatada Plaza Christmas Village that has been set up over there. Um I think that probably just about wraps it up.

So I Hello. We're back.

Look at it's sunny now. Um but I did earlier this week Pauline um so the Salvation Red Kettle campaign. We've all seen that. Um, and it started back in the 1890s in the United States in San Francisco. An English immigrant came from England and he noticed such severe poverty in San Francisco and remembered a tradition where people would ring bells to the wealthy people in England

and ask, "Please, would you just please drop a coin in the in the bucket?" And so he brought that tradition to San Francisco in the 1890s. And now that red kettle campaign is really a tradition we all remember. So community leaders and volunteers explain to us now it is so easy to get involved.

Ever since I was a like a little little kid and we had downtown it was always the kettle bells in front of mccor and cherries and we always gave always gave and my mother said that is the charity I will always give to because they're always there. first responders. They're there with people disasters with um burned homes. They're right there to help everyone knitting sweaters. They

back in the 40s knitting sweaters and sending them to our soldiers.

Every dollar a donor gives at least 87 cents goes directly to the service. So the general public can rest assured that when they donate to the Salvation Army, their money will serve the purpose for which it was given.

I've heard so many encouraging stories over there how the Salvation Army has turned people's lives around. Uh most poignant one was uh we when our did our celebration a few months ago 140 years in the city was a young lady who grew up in a Fall River in some very tough times uh in her childhood and she credited where she is in life to the to the Fall River Salvation Army. Uh she's going to

be a college graduate and and premed and she credits everything from her involvement in our Salvation Army and Fall River.

It is all across the board is the same story. How do working people make ends meet? Uh, you know, food is getting very expensive and in our food pantry, it's a choice pantry. Uh, clients or members of the community are able to just walk in and select what they want in addition to what they can afford. And we think it's a great thing we're doing. Uh, every week we serve a hat meal to the

community because there are many who unfortunately don't have a place to live.

Anyone that wants to help, just please contact me. We'll get you here ringing the bell with the loudest bells and and have a good time. That's what it's all about. Just dress warm.

Okay, that's lovely. The Red Kettle campaign kickoff that you just watched was outside Market Basket in the South.

And they do a wonderful job. Those musicians practice a couple times a month on Bedford Street, young and old.

And we have some new news coming up too.

A little more.

Hustle and bustle and then time goes quickly and the meter runs out. There's a pesky parking ticket. We've all done it. You've done it. I've done it.

And worse, we've forgotten about it. So, there's a Christmas miracle kind of happening at Government Center.

Is the season of giving. The Fall River Traffic Department is giving you a holiday discount through the annual ticket amnesty program. During the month of December, if you pay off your unpaid parking tickets, all city imposed late fees will be waved. The original violation amount and registry fee will still apply on all unpaid tickets issued more than 60 days ago and flagged by the

RMV. Only tickets issued in 2025 will be eligible for the amnesty program. You must pay your balance in person with cash, money order, or debit credit card at the traffic department in room 234 of government center. Online payments and personal checks will not be accepted. Director of traffic and parking Stephanie MacArthur reminds everyone that having unpaid parking tickets will prevent driver's

license and vehicle registration renewals. Be sure to take advantage of this limited time offer from the Fall River Traffic Department, which ends on December 30th.

Tree park.

All right, we're back again. So, um I think it's nice the city does that. And Stephanie McCarthy was down serving out some hot chocolate and popcorn.

Yep.

I have some now. It's not hot anymore.

It was tasty.

We'll go get a refill. Um you know, so the government center prominade for the tree is really picky. They got to be picky, right? I mean, it's got to be a beautiful tree. It has to be healthy enough to withstand the cut and then withstand the transport and hopefully stay pretty through the beginning of January. So, the city arborist has a bit of a say in that. Our Fred TV sports reporter Evan Massud does double duty

again as our annual tree tracker.

One blustery November morning, curious neighbors dawned bulky coats to watch a contingent of Department of Community Maintenance workers, arborists, and police officers converge on Smith Street. Weighing in at 5600 lb and 43 feet tall, the Blue Spruce outgrew its boundaries and now has the distinction of being the official city Christmas tree for 2025.

The designated route snaked from the south end to avoid narrow side streets and dangling electrical wires. Most drivers curbed their impatience as the oversized evergreen traveled by police escort.

In years past, displaced squirrels scampered out as the tree was dropped.

No worries, these cold weather mammals will take up real estate elsewhere.

Crews have also come across vacated birds nests. Companies involved in the volunteer effort include Coastal Water Sewer and Excavation and Northeastern Tree Service Incorporated. The Bosworth family donated the tree, which has been strung with more than 3,000 lights.

Merry Christmas.

That's beautiful.

Beautiful. Nice job, Evan, with the drone. Okay, so the tree lighting, like we said, it's already starting to pile in over here at Government Center at 3:00 because we've got all of our fun activities taking place inside. Um, remember also we've got Christmas in Fall River that will be sponsored by Bristol County Savings Bank at Dery Nagel Auditorium. The doors will open at 6:30. That's on 1219.

Always a great show.

Always a great show. The Dery kids do a great job. The Sons of Sarendip and we've got Mary Makavoy from The Voice as well will be there. Again, check parent square. Check Facebook for FRPS. It'll be all there. So, we knew our grand marshall was Troy Brown for former Patriot, threetime Patriot, Super Bowl winner. Evan Massud, naturally the sports reporter, figured he'd catch up with Troy earlier today at Kennedy Park.

Take it away.

We're here with this year's Grand Marshall, New England Patriots, Hall of Famer Troy Brown. Troy, I'll ask you point blank, why Fall River? There's so many different celebrations going on, but what brought you here? I did something else earlier this year uh back in the spring and uh I met some people and and they invited me to come do this.

So, uh it was kind of difficult for me to get here this year, but you know, whatever it was, I got here. So, I'm I'm proud to be here, happy to be here and uh been able to help out the Fall River community.

Sure. The city's happy to have you as well. This is a city filled with sports history, particularly at the high school level. We see a lot of our youngsters throughout the year. We're housed at the high school. What's your message to some of the upand cominging younger athletes?

Yeah, just uh keep persevering. You know, keep your head down, stay focused on your school work is the biggest thing. So, you know, because once sports are over, at some point it's going to be over for you. You know, you can never always fall back on your school work to keep from dinging doing what you love to do outside of sports. So, I mean, uh, you know, but as far as sports is

concerned, just keep grinding, keep pushing, be a good teammate, always be a good teammate, you know, and, uh, practice good leadership. Troy, the holidays are a time of joy and celebrations, but there are some families that struggle. What are you doing and what what can the general public do to help those in need?

Well, whatever it is, you can you can afford to give back, you know. So, a lot of times it's not even about the money all the time. So, I know but if you have it, you can give it uh you can give it specifically to wherever you want it to go. Uh time, a lot of time is needed for people who can't get around and can't move around, you know. So, your time

that you spend with people uh is important too as well. But whatever it is that you can give, you know, just a little bit of you, your little bit of your time, a little bit of your money, whatever it may be, you know, is always important to somebody out there.

Somebody's out there, somebody out there that can always use your help.

Thank you, Troy. Happy holidays to you and your family.

Thank you.

Former New England Patriot Troy Brown.

All right. Nice job, Evan, Mr. Brown.

And that was Renee Cotchman, our supervisor behind the camera. We are just about to sign out, but I want to give one shout out with my friend Jerica on 1227 the Quanza Sewing Workshop sponsored by Bristol Black Collective at Captain Thomas Hudner Jr. Jr. Memorial Building at Heritage State Park. You will be able to craft a beautiful table runner in celebration of Quanza recognizing the principle of family and

togetherness. And I think that's a great way to end this 41st annual children's holiday parade. I am Pam Martin with my good friend and coworker Pauline Pauline McGrath.

We're proud and honored to bring you this parade. Thank you again.

Thank you. Merry Christmas and don't forget about the tree lighting ceremony. Tree will be lit around 5:00 or so, but there's tons of hot cocoa, games, cookies, music, you name it from now until then. That's right. Enjoy.

Happy holidays. Enjoy the season, my friends. What's loveing?