NEW BOSTON — The village welcomed the Christmas season Saturday with its first — and what hopes to be annual — New Boston Christmas Parade.

The day began with members of Bikers for Charity collecting Christmas donations from motorists in New Boston and Portsmouth. The group collects donations twice each year, and was also out on Black Friday (Nov. 26) when they collected about $10,000. The money collected is divided between the Portsmouth Fire Department and the New Boston Christmas Program to buy toys for under-privileged children in Scioto County.

More than 900 names are on New Boston’s shopping list this year, and Lt. Diane Davis of the New Boston Police Department warned that they still desperately need donations to meet the needs of many children. Cash and gift donations to New Boston’s Christmas Program can still be made at the New Boston Police Department and at all Desco Federal Credit Union locations.

Saturday evening, participants began lining up at Vinyl Kraft on Rhodes Avenue at 5 p.m. for the parade.

“Over the years we’ve discussed it, and at this time we decided it’s time to get the community involved more in our activities here. Several people were wanting to have a parade, since the other areas all are having parades. I think it’s a good thing at Christmas time to celebrate the year,” New Boston Mayor James Warren said.

Local churches, businesses and individuals walked in the parade. Santa Claus was also there, riding along in the New Boston Fire Department’s vintage 1959 Chevy pickup truck fire engine. The village purchased the tiny red truck nearly 50 years ago, and now use it only for shows and special events.

The parade began at 6 p.m. Saturday, traveling east on Rhodes Avenue and turning left on Lakeview Avenue before ending at the New Boston Stadium. Santa Claus took some time away from checking his lists to spend a few minutes with children while parents enjoyed hot cocoa and warm treats.

Warren said he was pleased with the turn out of this year’s inaugural parade, and said he hopes they can make it an even bigger celebration next year.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235. or rottney@portsmouth-dailytimes.com.