Lake Ridge, Va. – Santa made his first appearance in the Potomac Communities this year in Lake Ridge.
Residents lined the community’s main street, Old Bridge Road, to greet the man in the big red suit as well as floats from local businesses and organizations.
Santa arrived on the back of an OWL VFD fire truck with lights and sirens blaring as child children smiled and waved. Ahead of the jolly old elf was the Woodbridge Senior High School Army JROTC womens drill team, waving poms poms from the dancers at Woodbridge’s Dance, Tumble Cheer, and an OmniRide commuter bus driven by an elf who appeared to have five-inch finger nails.
“I liked seeing Santa and all of the old cars in the parade… even though my mom told me this year it was her who brings the presents and not Santa,” said 9-year-old Micheal from Dumfries.
Many who live in Lake Ridge found the parade an easy walk from their homes, and fitting way to ring in the holiday season.
“We live just two blocks up, and we found out about it online and realized it wasn’t far from the house so we brought the kids down to watch,” said Kristie Fay.
The parade began at 10 a.m. and lasted about 30 minutes, featuring about 30 organizations and a few floats. Its route brought it west down Old Bridge Road from Mohican Road to Smoketown Road.
The parade in past years was canceled due to inclement weather but made a triumphant return this year, said Prince William Occoquan Supervisor Mike May.
