Looking For Santa's Helpers!

       TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10TH.

   LOOKING FOR SANTA'S HELPERS!

       Although Christmas is still over a month
away I have it on good authority that Old
Saint Nick plans to arrive in the Electric City
on Saturday, November 21st. And he's
looking for more than a hundred helpers!
        Santa will be coming to town as part
of a huge parade through downtown
Scranton. Some 1,700 people were in the
line of march last year. Some are in bands.
Some are on floats, or marching with civic
organizations.
        But many are needed to handle the
balloons! There was a time when parade
goers had to head for Philadelphia or
New York to catch a sight of those giant
balloons shaped like popular cartoon characters.
         Tom Fritz from the Scranton Santa
Parade Board of Directors is on my ECTV
television program this week to talk about
this year's parade and the year-long planning
that goes into the event.
        At first I worried he wanted me to help
blow up those balloons. But,he explained,
they use helium to do the job. The volunteers
are needed to guild the floating attractions
along the parade route.
        They're changing that route a little
this year. Seems some of the scenic trees
along the original line of march have grow
over the street a bit. The now bear and
sometime sharp branches have created a
concern. It wouldn't be very good to see
a giant Elf go flying through the air thanks
to a puncture wound!
        The marchers are all set to step off at
9:30am on the 21st. If you're 18 or over
and would like to help guide one of those
giant balloons you can call 570-483-8757
for details.
        I'm thinking they could save money on
helium by getting politicians to blow up the
balloons. All that hot air should keep them
up!
       Hope Santa got my list and that all
you NEWS is good!