Sunday Parade to Have Rolling Toy Collection

When you head downtown for the annual Firefighters Santa Parade Sunday, you can also bring a toy with you to donate to a child in need.

This year, the parade will feature an interesting Toys for Tots drive (pun intended), as Coady's Towing is donating a flatbed truck and trailer for more efficient collection.

"As the parade rolls through town, the flatbed will have toy boxes and Toys for Tots reps will walk with the truck and collect toys from spectators... a sort of rolling collection," USMC Toys for Tots zone manager Bob Beck said.

The parade is sponsored by the Andover Firefighters Relief Association in partnership with Andover businesses.

The parade starts at 1 p.m. at Doherty Middle School and heads down Whittier street, Elm Street and Main Street, and then on to Morton Street, Bartlett Street and back to Doherty Middle School.

There will be local dance groups, floats, antique cars, pipe and drum bands, horses and of course, Santa.