Thousands of onlookers lined Main Street in Salem on Sunday, Nov. 25, to view the Salem Holiday Parade as it made its way from Northeastern Boulevard to the high school.

More than 60 groups participated in the two-and-a-halfhour parade, including several bands, local civic groups, Boy and Girl Scout troops and dance groups. Floats were made by Salem High, St. Joseph’s, Haigh, Soule, Littleville, Lancaster and Fisk schools, each displaying the parade’s theme, “The Polar Express.”

But the highlight of the day was two special guests who came to Salem to participate in the parade. U.S. presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani who walked the parade, getting a chance to meet voters and sign autographs. The other special guest was the big guy himself, Santa Claus, who rode on a float at the end of the parade, escorted by a large group of dancers from the Nazarine Dance Center.

Awards for the parade will be announced at an awards night celebration at the Derry- Salem Elks Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. All those who participated in the parade are welcome to attend awards night.

Planning for the 2008 Salem Holiday Parade will officially begin again in January.

Next year will be bigger and better, said parade chairman Pat Hargreaves. Already in the works is a TV auction to help raise funds for the parade.

Christmas in July will take place July 25 and will be broadcast on one of the local TV stations. It will be a call-in auction, offering many items for bidding.

Hargreaves plans to auction off a “name the parade” item. The highest bidder will be given the opportunity to name the theme for the 2008 parade.

Any person or business who can donate items to be auctioned off in July should contact the Salem Holiday Parade at P.O. Box 2360, Salem, NH 03079.