The 43rd annual Community of Lebanon Association Holiday Parade took place in Downtown Lebanon on Saturday, part of the weekend’s holiday season kickoff in Lebanon County.

On Friday night, the CLA hosted a Christmas tree lighting ceremony featuring music, cookies, and of course – Santa!

St. Nick himself was back for the parade on Saturday, which started at 2:30 p.m. on Cumberland St. at Lincoln Ave. and ran to 9th St., where Santa was ready to meet parade participants with a wave from the top of the iconic Lebanon Farmers Market building.

This year’s parade marshal was Major Kathleen Pearson Fabrizi, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania National Guard Association.

In order of appearance, this year’s event sponsors included Porterfield Scheid, Woodland Contractors, County of Lebanon, Arthur Funk & Sons, Herbology, Jonestown Bank & Trust Co., First Energy, AAA Central Penn, Albright Life, Bouquet Mulligan Demaio, Dominos, WellSpan, Lebanon Federal Credit Unit, Godshall’s Quality Meats, Spangcrest, Melnick Moffitt & Mesaro, Fulton Bank, Zinn Insurance, Tempforce, and Edward Jones.

Find our photo story below, including the parade winners and a list of participating groups at the bottom of the post.

All photos by LebTown photographer Will Trostel.

City of Lebanon Police Chief Todd Breiner led off Saturday’s holiday parade.
The parade was proudly presented by the Community of Lebanon Association. Downtown Lebanon Main Street Manager Amy Kopecky, left, and Becky Woodhouse of Level Eleven, right, carried the banner on behalf of the CLA.
The City of Lebanon banner was carried by representatives from sponsor Porterfield Scheid. Note the pooch providing moral support!
Who doesn’t love a parade dog? Note the other pup in the back, trying to catch up with his friend ahead. Lots of smells on the parade route, and the kids loved them!
Children eagerly wave to passing firemen from Rescue Hose Company No. 4 during the event.
Firemen from the Independent Fire Company wave to children in the street from their Pierce Dash Heavy Rescue truck.
During the parade, vendors also walked around with carts and sold various items such as hats and balloons. A marching color guard can be seen in the background.
Children passed out candy to bystanders throughout the event.
City of Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello also made an appearance during the parade route, sharing a note with parade announcers that she is proud to partner with the CLA on initiatives like this, and “extremely grateful to CLA for the events they so enthusiastically hold, like the Holiday Parade, which infuses Lebanon – The Place to Grow – with charm!”
The Schuylkill Haven Belvedeer Alumni Drum and Bugle Corps was the first band presented during the parade.
Lebanon Raiders Youth Football cheerleaders presented dances and represented their football team. The Raiders were established in 2017 to teach the fundamentals of the sports of football and cheer, and have teams in smurf, peewee, pony, and midget levels, with something for kids from ages 5 to 14.
The Cedar Crest Color Guard preceded the high school band, with 18 members of the guard joining three drum majors and 87 musicians for a total of 108 Cedar Crest High School students in the parade. The band performed “sleigh ride” music and was led by drum majors Sydney Rauchut, Alyssa Nye, and Meghan Feeman, under the direction of Cedar Crest instructor Scott Muenz.
Various felines were presented as well in hopes of raising awareness for the special animals rescued by the 809th Armpurred Cattalion, a retired military family who made it their mission to give shelter to “misfit cats that need a home.” The cattalion takes in abandoned, abused, and unwanted cats that shelters wouldn’t be able to accept. “We believe there is no such thing as a ‘bad cat’, said an organizer, “only a misunderstood cat.”
All animals at the day’s event were loved by the children in attendance.
Santa presented himself at the end of the parade, waving to the crowd.
The horse, leading Santa’s sleigh down Walton St. to deliver the big man himself to the market entrance for his ascent to the top of the building.
Mayor Capello sings “Feliz Navidad” along with dancers from Juntos de Lebanon.
Santa waves to the crowd below as he climbs to the top of the Lebanon Farmers Market to deliver presents down the chimney.

Winners in the 43rd Annual CLA Holiday Parade

Best in Walking: Hoff n Horns 4H Horse & Pony
Best in Fire Apparatus: Neversink Fire Company
Best in Dance: Jonestown Dance Studio

Float Winners:
1st: School Nutrition Group
2nd: Saddle Up 4H
3rd: The Heart of Christ Church

Participating Groups

In order of appearance.

  • Civil Air Patrol Squadron 307, Lebanon Post 23
  • The Schuylkill Haven Belvedeer Alumni Drum
  • Harding Elementary
  • Neversink Fire Company
  • Lebanon Raiders Youth Football
  • The Kissmobile, driven by Chris Massar
  • Charles Kern driving a 1942 WC Dodge Truck to honor veterans
  • Cedar Crest High School Band
  • Belco Federal Credit Union
  • Jonestown Bank & Trust Co.
  • Generation Dance
  • Lebanon Area Fair, featuring 2019 Lebanon Area Fair Queen Shay Miller
  • Hoff n Horns 4H Horse & Pony
  • Lebanon County Special Ops
  • Northern Lebanon High School Band
  • Marine Toys for Tots
  • Albright Life
  • Cleona Fire Company
  • City of Lebanon and Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce
  • Lebanon Revolution Youth Soccer
  • American Heritage Girls Troop 1747
  • Hackman Paving
  • The Heart of Christ Church
  • Rural Security Fire Company
  • Dutchway Farm Market
  • Annville-Cleona High School Band
  • Saddle Up 4H
  • God’s Missionary Church
  • Campbelltown Fire Company
  • Majik Rent to Own
  • Lebanon High Tri Hi Y
  • Bonnie Kupp School of Dance & Baton
  • CLA Business person of the Year Steven Goodhue of Edward Jones
  • Whites Harley Davidson/Vanderhall
  • Friendship Fire Company
  • Amvets Post 136
  • United Way of Lebanon County
  • Suzanne’s Dance & Gymnastics
  • Independent Fire Company
  • WellSpan Health Human Resource Department
  • Lebanon Federal Credit Union
  • Jonestown Dance Studio
  • Speedwell Engine & Hose Co
  • Grow with Grace Dance & Fitness Studio
  • Lebanon Corvette Club
  • Northwest Elementary
  • Jack Williams Tire Company
  • Lebanon Chapter DAR
  • Spangcrest
  • Wolmelsdorf Fire Company
  • Lebanon Catholic Marching Band
  • Brownie Troop 70908
  • 809th Armpurred Cattalion
  • Danstation
  • Jubilee Ministries
  • 2019-2020 Lebanon County Dairy Royalty
  • School Nutrition Group
  • CLA Car Show Winners Lindsay Fulk in her 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Charlotte and Donald Stoudt Jr. in their 1957 Ford Thunderbird
  • The Paloma School
  • Stargait
  • Lady Renegades Softball Teams
  • Juntas De Lebanon
  • Navy Club Ship 91, US Nava Sea Cadet Corps
  • Lebanon MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers)
  • Cub Scout Pack 412
  • Nice Cuts Barber Shop
  • Bethany UM Church
  • Lebanon Bikers
  • Special Unit 66
  • Lebanon High School Marching Band

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This article was updated to clarify that the 809th Armpurred Cattalion provides shelter for cats in need but does not make them available for adoption.

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