AMBLER — Downtown Ambler was abuzz on Saturday, December 2, as throngs of paradegoers watched the Ambler Holiday Parade go down Butler Avenue.
Around 1,000 people participated in the parade that’s become a holiday fixture in the Montgomery County borough that Ambler Main Street Manager Elizabeth Wahl Kunzier estimated goes back at least six decades. But thousands more showed up for the festivities as Wahl Kunzier observed the crowds were “six people deep at least.”
“It was extraordinarily successful,” Wahl Kunzier said, noting that “it looked like a Music Fest day.”
She attributed the amount of people participating and the weather cooperating to the 2023 parade’s success.
This year’s Ambler Holiday Parade had about 51 floats, according to Wahl Kunzier. Along with Santa and Mrs. Claus, neighborhood groups, dance groups, mummers, cheerleaders, marching bands, football players, and girl and boy scout troops made up much of the parade. Roughly 15 volunteers helped orchestrate the annual event.
“I think it’s just great because people sit and they go to their same spot every time. People that live along the parade route have parties,” she said. “I just think it brings the community together.”
Wissahickon Middle School custodian Lenny Robinson served as the parade’s grand marshal.
“He is probably the kindest person I’ve ever met. He does so much for the community. It was an honor for us to have him be the parade marshal,” she said, adding “the parade started off with such a good vibe with him leading the parade. It was amazing.”
Ambler Heights won the grand prize, the Fruitful Children’s Foundation took second and Cub Scout Pack 164 was awarded third place, according to Wahl Kunzier.
St. Nick will return to the borough at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7 as “Santa Arrives by Train” at the south side of the Ambler station, 100 S. Main St. Wissahickon Middle School students will also sing holiday carols and Sweet Briar Cafe is expected to serve hot chocolate, according to Wahl Kunzier. Visit amblermainstreet.org for more information.
