Rehoboth Beach marches into holiday season with annual Christmas parade

December 5, 2023 11

Rehoboth Avenue was filled with the sights and sounds of the season during the city’s annual Hometown Christmas Parade Dec. 4.

The parade is organized by the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Co., and Warren Jones, RBVFC vice president, said they achieved their goal of having the biggest Christmas parade yet, with 130 entries.

The evening was perfect for a night out on the avenue. Many people came early to stake out a good spot for a pre-parade tailgate or just a prime place to watch.

The parade stepped off from State Road at 6 p.m. with beauty queens and Grinches, fire trucks and horses, and even Cousin Eddie from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”

Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, served as this year’s grand marshal. He waved to the crowd from atop an antique Rehoboth Beach fire truck.

Santa and Mrs. Claus also arrived on a fire truck for the grand finale.

The North Pole pair ended their journey in front of Station 86, where they went inside to settle in and ask children what they want for Christmas.

RBVFC also held its first Stuff-A-Truck to benefit Toys for Tots during the parade.

People were asked to drop off an unwrapped toy to fill up an ambulance, which was parked outside the fire station.

Jones said they received several hundred donations, and the ambulance was full by the end of the night.