Join this fun, creative Christmas event for kids in Greenpoint, Brooklyn: a Santa's parade, with both adults and children dressed up as elves, Santas and even reindeer.
The Greenpoint Santa's parade is part of a Holiday Extravaganza co-sponsored by a local non-profit, volunteer organization called Town Square, along with the Greenpoint Y.
A three-hour program follows the quarter-mile mini-parade. It includes a pancake breakfast, a "Greencycle" swap, a holiday chorus performance, visits with Santa and more.
The holiday festivities are free, and the fun is open to everybody.
According to the spokesperson, “The free breakfast is on a first-come, first-served basis — while pancakes last.”
Greenpoint Santa Parade 2011 Schedule
Santa and his sleigh may circle the entire globe, but the Greenpoint Santa's parade doesn't stray far from home base. "We will not walk far with the children: seven or eight blocks in all," reassured the spokesperson for Town Square, which helped create the first Santa's Parade in 2010. The route she described for the 2011 Santa Parade:- Start at the Greenpoint YMCA at 99 Meserole Avenue.
- March 1 block over to Manhattan Avenue, the main retail street in Greenpoint.
- March 2 to 3 blocks south on Manhattan Avenue.
- Turn around, go back to the Greenpoint Y at 99 Meserole Street.
At the Greenpoint Y, there'll be a modest pancake breakfast, served until the pancakes run out.
What to Dress Up As for a Santa Parade: Well, obviously, one could don a Santa Claus hat and call it quits. Or, wear the entire red Santa suit.
There are lots of ways to be one of Santa's elves, starting with elfin shoes and hat.
Creative types might want to try to dress as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, or Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner) or Blitzen.
Most challenging of all? The sleigh!
Weather proof celebration: What happens if the weather's cold or wet? Well, a little snow never stopped Santa. So, as long as it is not severe weather, the parade will go on. (In the event of sleeting rain or snow, the already brief parade can be abbreviated and folded into the holiday extravaganza waiting in the Greenpoint Y’s spacious gym.)
Green Christmas in Greenpoint: A Community Recycling Event Where You Give Some, Take Some
After the parade, a healthy breakfast and a chat and photo session with Santa, participating families can engage in an environmentally friendly "green swap" exchange of clothing and toys.How the "Greencycle swap" works : Participants are invited to bring, and swap, "gently used clothes, shoes, books, toys, computers, electronics, phones, bicycles, and household items." Like barter but without the haggling, this system is perfect for growing families. Of course, whatever is not taken is donated to a charity.
Details: Greenpoint Santa Parade & Holiday Extravaganza 2011 Schedule
- Where: Greenpoint YMCA at 99 Meserole Avenue.
- When: December 10, beginning at 11:30 A.M., meet in front of the Greenpoint Y. Costumes are optional. The kids will then parade down a few blocks down Manhattan Avenue, and back again.
- 12:00 P.M. Holiday Extravaganza to follow at the Greenpoint Y, with a free pancake brunch for kids. The party includes arts and crafts, snacks, and, of course, a private visit with Santa.
- 1:00 P.M. Greencycle Swap.
- 2:00 P.M. Holiday performances by PS 34 Children's Chorus, Mss Brooklyn & Miss Kings County.
This family-friendly Christmas event takes place in Greenpoint, a Brooklyn neighborhood that's home to a well-established Polish community, and increasing numbers of hipsters and young families moving in from other areas of New York City.
