Santa and Mrs. Claus waved to a delighted crowd from their float as West Chester bid an early hello to Christmas with its 37th annual Christmas Parade, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Local News.

Coordinated by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the parade attracted tens of thousands of people who gathered for the joyous occasion. The 90-minute event started in front of the Chester County Historic Courthouse with a performance by a rising pop star from New Jersey, Ashlee Keating.

Some of the local bands participating in the parade included all three West Chester high schools, as well as a combined Downingtown East and West band, as well as Octorara. An international flair was also added to the festivities with acts by Bolivian dancers and Chinese Falun Dafa performers.

The event was sponsored by QVC, which broadcast it nationwide.

“It really rings in the Christmas season,” said local resident Pat Chesko. “It’s gotten bigger; there’s no comparison to the early years.”

Highlights of the event will be broadcast throughout the Christmas weekend during QVC’s holiday programming.

Read more about the parade in the Daily Local News here, and check out previous VISTA Today coverage of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce here.