Exeter Residents and Businesses Upset Over Holiday Parade Date Change

According to a story in the Union Leader, The Town of Exeter has had a holiday parade on the first Saturday in December for the past 60 years, but this year, it has been proposed to move to the second Saturday in December.  Darius Thompson, the long time director of the parade has a wedding to attend on December 1st and cannot attend the Parade on that day.

There are a few reasons for the opposition to the date change:  The parade closes part of the downtown and if it's later in the month, it would affect their business.  Also, the 8th is the same night of Prescott Park Arts Festival's "A Christmas Carol" at the Exeter Town Hall and the road closures would disrupt that event.  Not to mention all the families that will be expecting the parade on the 1st Saturday in December.

The Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce also opposes the date change.

The Parade committee’s first meeting will be held on Oct. 9.