Wareham braved the chilly weather to gear up for Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the annual Wareham Village Association Christmas parade through downtown, followed by the tree lighting at Town Hall.

The parade was led by grand marshal JAM'N 94.5 morning show co-shot Pebbles, a Wareham native, and featured numerous Wareham groups from Friends of the Wareham Elderly to Wareham High School's Faith club to numerous boy and girl scout groups. Bon Jovi cover band "Living on a Bad Name" also performed on a float. Many of the marchers and float riders threw candy to the kids standing on the sidewalks.

Selectman Cara Winslow said this year's parade was "great," though it was hard for her to tell if this year's was bigger because as a Selectman she marched near the front with her fellow Selectmen Chairman Walter Cruz and Clerk Steve Holmes, as well as Town Administrator Mark Andrews.

Keith Baker, age 6, said that his favorite parts of the parade were Santa, who rode on the Old Company Store and Tihonet Village float, and seeing the big fire trucks.

Jacks are Wild dog groomers were awarded the most creative award after the parade, for tinting two dog's fur green and dressing them in holiday costumes. The Boys and Girls Club and Lindsey's Family Restaurant came in second and third place respectively.

Gateway Youth Hockey's float was voted the most spirited, followed by the Wareham Tigers and the Junior Onset Bay Association. Daisy Troop 80648 won the award for best following the theme of "Christmas Through a Child's Eyes," with Baker School of Dance coming in second and the Old Company Store/Tihonet Village Market coming in third.

After the parade stopped at Town Hall, the Board of Selectmen announced their five Spirit of Christmas award winners: James Newman, Rudy Santos, Sally Morrison, Barbara Sullivan and the A.D. Makepeace Company. This is the third year the Selectmen have handed out the awards which recognize individuals or groups that make Wareham a better place.

"It's really hard to narrow the list in this community," Winslow said prior to the names being announced.

After the awards were handed out, the 30-foot Christmas tree outside Town Hall—which was donated to the town by A.D. Makepeace last year—was lit for the first time this season. Santa Claus lead the crowd in singing Christmas carols, with help from Andrews for some of the songs. The Toe Jam Puppet Band rounded out the event with a performance in the Town Hall Auditorium.

Earlier in the day numerous business downtown opened their door for activities. Kids could pick up scavenger hunt maps at TD Bank on Main Street, which led them to participating business on Main Street, the Old Company Store and the Tihonet Village Market to check items off. Each location had a treat or activity for the children, such as a free slice of pizza at Minerva's or making an ornament at Tihonet Village Market. After the parade finished they could turn their completed maps in at Town Hall for a prize.

Cousins Mary Woods and Marissa Murdock said they spent about an hour prior to the parade completing the scavenger hunt. They said finding "the elf on the shelf" at the Old Company Store was the most challenging task on the list.