Kick off the holiday season

Posted on November 20, 2021 by Monica

Get ready to kick off the holidays Quincy style with Santa and the elves, sing alongs, and two tree lightings. Here’s a roundup of Quincy and Squantum holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend. Head out with your friends and family to celebrate the warmth of the season.

Squantum Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 4:30 pm (after the Quincy Parade)
Gilbert Memorial Park, at the intersection of Huckins Avenue and East Squantum Street [map]
Join the festivities as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting following the Quincy Christmas Parade. Head over to the triangle at Gilbert Memorial Park and join your neighbors for hot cocoa and delicious cookies provided by the Seaside Gardeners of Squantum. Join in on the carol singing as we welcome Santa Claus who will do the honors of lighting up the tree! Hope to see you and the whole family there!

Note: if the Quincy Parade is postponed due to weather, the tree lighting will also be postponed.

Quincy holiday festivities
View the flyer for the weekend festivities, or visit the Quincy site with info.

Quincy tree lighting celebration
Friday, November 26, 5–7 pm
Hancock Adams Common , 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Enjoy the Hancock-Adams Common, decked with twinkling lights and holiday displays. Mayor Koch and special guests – maybe one from the North Pole – will flip the switch to bring the holiday spirit to the Common. Heated tents will be set up for this event. Enjoy strolling Victorian carolers, ice sculptures, street performers, and costumed characters, as well as activities including letter writing to Santa. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate, and check out holiday treats from local vendors

Santa and Elves arrival by helicopter
Saturday, November 27,  Noon
Pageant Field, One Merrymount Parkway (up the road from Adams Field), Quincy, MA [map]
Santa and his elves arrive in Quincy by helicopter, landing at Pageant Field, at this fun family event. While waiting for the touchdown of the Jolly Old Elf and friends, take a hayride around the field or “high-five” one of the visiting costumed characters

City of Quincy Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 28, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Hancock Street
Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade featuring high school and adult marching bands from around the state, Christmas themed floats, costumed characters, antique vehicles, and Santa in his traditional fire truck ride. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continuing up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School. This is one of the largest parades in the Commonwealth.

Menorah Lighting
Sunday, November 28, 4:00 pm
Hancock-Adams Common , 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Join a ceremony to light the first candle on the menorah outside City Hall as we observe the beginning of Chanukah.

Santa is coming to Squantum on Dec 20!

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Monica

Santa Claus is coming to Squantum!
Sunday, December 20, 2020
Tour starts at 11:00 AM and will wind through the neighborhoods.

Hello Squantum! Hope you and your loved ones are healthy and getting ready for some relaxation as we head into this holiday season 2020. Since Santa was not able to join us at our annual tree lighting, he’s coming to a street near you! Get the kiddies ready for Santa’s big Squantum tour. Keep an eye out for his red pick up “sleigh” with flashing lights as he drives through our neighborhoods starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Note that Santa will not be able to stop or exit the vehicle for photos. We want to keep him safe for his big night coming up!

Sponsored by the Squantum Community Association

Get your float on…sign up today for July Fourth parade!

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Monica

The kiddies are squealing at Orchard Beach and the birds are chirping…It’s another glorious start to summer in Squantum and the pinnacle of our year is just around the corner. Start planning your red, white, and blue, and gathering the neighbors to come up with your award-winning float ideas! Give Paula and the July Fourth Parade Committee a call today and sign up your floats and marchers and send in your Grand Marshall nominations for the big day!

Mark your calendars…the marching of the parade is
Thursday, July 4, 2019 at 10 a.m.

Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m.: Squantum Road Race

9:30 a.m.: Registration
10 a.m.: Road Race

Meet at the Squantum Community Center, 50 Huckins Ave, Squantum
Registration: $20/adult, Kids under 10 free
Trophies and t-shirts provided.
All proceeds benefit the parade. Sponsored by State Rep. Bruce Ayers

Thursday, July Fourth:

9 a.m.: Flag raising at the cannon by members of the Robert I. Nickerson Post
10 a.m.: the Parade steps off
Awards and fun behind the Squantum School following the parade

Floats: register by June 22
Get the neighbors and kids together and start dreaming up your float ideas for a chance to win a cash prize! Kids and adult floats are welcome. The winning float will have a sign posted on their street for a week announcing the coveted victory. Good luck!

Register your float by June 22 by emailing Squantumparade@yahoo.com or
call Doreen Douglas at 617-360-1975. Provide a Squantum address with your registration.

Marchers: register by June 26
Marchers of all kinds are welcome to join the parade! Little groups, big groups, individuals, marchers in costumes, as well as Local Youth Sports are welcome to march. Decorate your baby carriages and wagons and join the festivities!
Register marchers by June 26 by emailing Squantumparade@yahoo.com.

Grand Marshall
The committee is accepting nominations for the Parade Grand Marshall.
Please nominate a Squantum resident who has shown great involvement with the community over the years.
Email nominations to Squantumparade@yahoo.com or call Paula Glynn 617-834-9996.

Support the parade…give a donation
Your donations are welcome by the July 4th Committee. Marchers and float registrations are free, so donations keep this fabulous tradition going. Suggested donation per family is $20, but any donation is very much appreciated.
Checks can be made payable to: Squantum July 4th Committee
Mail or drop off to: Judi Smith, 289 Bellevue Road, Squantum, MA 02171

Join the Parade! Sign up…
Simply email SquantumParade@yahoo.com to sign up your float, group, band, and marchers, and to nominate the Grand Marshall.

Visit the July 4th Parade page to keep up to date.

Feeling nostalgic? Check out photos in the Scoop photo gallery.

Head to the Quincy Lunar New Year Festival Feb 10

Posted on February 10, 2019 by Monica

Head over to North Quincy High School to usher in the Year of the Pig! Quincy Asian Resources hosts the 31st annual festival to celebrate the lunar new year with a day full of contests, culture, games, food, and music.

Sunday, February 10, 2019
Noon to 5 pm
North Quincy High School
316 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]

Sample delicious food from some of Quincy’s finest dining spots, including bubble tea, sushi and spring rolls from Fuji at WoC, Shabu Lee, Pho Linh, B Cafe Quincy, Yocha At Quincy and The Chicken & Rice Guys!

There will be plenty of dance performances, including the amazing Dragon Dance by Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy at noon, and a K-Pop demo By MIT’s Asian Dance Team.

Get your competition on…join the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament from 12-4:00 pm. Every half hour winners play for a shot at $100 cash prize. Or, if singing is your thing…head over to the Karaoke Contest for a chance to win $150!

Lots of crafts and fun for the kids who can make a firefly mask with Mass Audubon, or enjoy New Year arts and crafts with South Shore YMCA Quincy; or enjoy a magic show with Felice Ling.

Learn more on the Quincy Asian Resources site, or Facebook page.

Also a great overview in the Patriot Ledger article: Quincy Lunar New Year Festival returns Sunday; The annual cultural festival, now in its 31st year, will mark the start of the Year of the Pig in Quincy.

Kickin’ off the season, Quincy style

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Monica

Those chilly temps are bringing on the season! Get ready to kick it off Quincy style with parachuting elves, sing alongs, and two tree lightings! Here’s a roundup of Quincy and Squantum holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend. After you recover from the Turkey Trot and the feast…head out with your friends and family to celebrate the warmth of the season.

Squantum Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 25, 2018 at 4:30 pm
Gilbert Memorial Park, at the intersection of Huckins Avenue and East Squantum Street [map]
Join the festivities as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting following the Quincy Christmas Parade. Head over to the triangle at Gilbert Memorial Park and join your neighbors for hot cocoa and delicious cookies provided by the Seaside Gardeners of Squantum. Join in on the carol singing as we welcome Santa Claus who will do the honors of lighting up the tree! Hope to see you and the whole family there!

Quincy holiday festivities

View the flyer for the weekend festivities.

Quincy tree lighting celebration
Friday, November 23, 5 pm-7 pm
Hancock Adams Common , 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Enjoy the newly opened Hancock-Adams Common, decked with twinkling lights and holiday displays. Mayor Koch and special guests – maybe one from the North Pole – will flip the switch to bring the holiday spirit to the Common. Heated tents will be set up for this event. Enjoy strolling Victorian carolers, ice sculptures, street performers, and costumed characters, as well as activities including letter writing to Santa. Enjoy free popcorn and hot chocolate, and check out holiday treats from local vendors.

Scheduled activities

5:00 pm: Donna Marie Children’s Puppet Show
5:45 pm: Children’s Christmas Chorus
6:15 pm: Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by Mayor Thomas P. Koch and a special guest

Santa and Elves arrival by parachute
Saturday, November 24 ~ 12:00 pm noon
Pageant Field,One Merrymount Parkway (up the road from Adams Field), Quincy, MA [map]
Santa and his elves arrive in Quincy by parachute, landing at Pageant Field, at this fun family event. While waiting for the touchdown of the Jolly Old Elf and friends, take a hayride around the field or “high-five” one of the visiting costumed characters!

Festive Fun on the Common
Saturday, November 24, 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Hancock Adams Common , 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA [map]
Jingle Bell rock your way around the bedecked Common and enjoy live music from local bands. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Heated tents will be set up for this event.

2 – 4:00 PM: Munk Duane & Soul Jacker
4 – 5:00 PM: DJ /House music Paul Duffley
5 – 7:00 PM: Soul City Band

City of Quincy Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 25, 12:30 pm-3:30 pm
Hancock Street
Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade featuring high school and adult marching bands from around the state, Christmas themed floats, costumed characters, antique vehicles, and Santa in his traditional fire truck ride. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continuing up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School. This is one of the largest parades in the Commonwealth.
The Ross Lot and Presidents’ Place Garage will be open. Ross Lot has a walkway from the lot to the parade route on Hancock Street.

Please note: In the interest of public safety, all bags and backpacks are subject to public search.

Run out and support the parade at the Turkey Trot!

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Monica

Grab your family and friends and get ready for the big feast with a fun run to support the Squantum July Fourth Parade!

Annual Turkey Trot 3 mile Fun Run/Walk
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 22, 2018, 9:00 am
(Register in advance or day of starting at 8:00 am)
Nickerson Post, 20 Moon Island Road, Squantum MA

Entrance fee:
$20 fee includes long sleeved T-shirt (while supplies last) and refreshments.
$10 fee for ages 15 and under
Make checks payable to: Squantum 4th of July
All proceeds benefit the Squantum Fourth of July Parade.
(Note: chip timing not provided at this fun run. Just a fun run with friends and family.)

How to enter:
Mail a filled out entry form and check to:
Judi Smith, 289 Bellevue Road, Squantum, MA 02171
or
Sign up Thanksgiving morning at the Post starting at 8 am.

Questions? Email Judi

Get your twinkle on! Tree lighting and festivities

Posted on November 19, 2017 by Monica

Time to pack away the shorts and dig out your scarves and hats, Squantumites…those balmy breezes have finally given way to crisp morning air! And just in time for us to kick off the season. From parachuting Santa and elves, to sing alongs, and two tree lightings…it’s time to get your twinkle on peeps! Here’s a roundup of Quincy and Squantum holiday festivities over Thanksgiving weekend. After you recover from the Turkey Trot and the feast…head out with your friends and fam to celebrate the warmth of the season.

Squantum Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 26, 2017
4:30 pm
Gilbert Memorial Park, at the intersection of Huckins Avenue and East Squantum Street

Join the festivities as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Tree Lighting following the Quincy Christmas Parade. Head over to the triangle at Gilbert Memorial Park and join your neighbors for hot cocoa and delicious cookies provided by the Seaside Gardeners of Squantum. Join in on the carol singing as we welcome Santa Claus who will do the honors of lighting up the tree! Hope to see you and the whole family there!

Quincy holiday festivities

Quincy tree lighting celebration (note new location this year)
Friday, November 24, 5 pm-7 pm
Thomas Crane Public Library lawn, 40 Washington Street, Quincy, MA
Drop off your letters to Santa and enjoy free popcorn, hot chocolate, and candy canes, as well as food trucks food trucks and a gingerbread competition. Enjoy Donna Marie Children’s Puppet Show (5pm), strolling Victorian Christmas Carolers, street performers, and the youthful voices of the Quincy/North Quincy Choir. At approximately at 6:15pm, Mayor Thomas P. Koch will turn on the Christmas lights at the library and throughout Quincy Center to mark the beginning of our holiday season.

City of Quincy Christmas Parade
Sunday, November 26, 12:30 pm-3 pm
Enjoy an old fashioned Christmas parade featuring high school and adult marching bands from around the state, Christmas themed floats, costumed characters, antique vehicles, and Santa in his traditional fire truck ride. The parade route begins at the intersection of Hancock Street and the Walter J. Hannon Parkway, continuing up Hancock Street to North Quincy High School. This is one of the largest parades in the Commonwealth.

Santa and his Elves arrival by parachute – new date
Saturday, December 2 (postponed form November 25) ~ 12:30 pm
Pageant Field,One Merrymount Parkway (up the road from Adams Field), Quincy, MA
Costumed characters from the parade greet children as they await the arrival of Santa Claus and his elves by parachute at Quincy’s unique Christmas tradition. Take a Holiday Wagon Ride with a costumed character.

Please note: In the interest of public safety, all bags and backpacks are subject to public search.

It’s Turkey Trot time! Support the parade at the Fun Run

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Monica

Grab your family and friends and get ready for the big feast with a fun run to support the Squantum July Fourth Parade!

16th Annual Turkey Trot 3 mile Fun Run/Walk
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 23, 2017, 9:00 am
(Register in advance or day of starting at 8:00 am)
Nickerson Post, 20 Moon Island Road, Squantum MA

How to enter:
Mail a filled out entry form and check to:
Judi Smith, 289 Bellevue Road, Squantum, MA 02171
or
Sign up Thanksgiving morning at the Post starting at 8 am.

Questions? Email Judi

Meet live owls of the world on April 19

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Monica

Who! Who! Who’s Watching You?
A live owl program

Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 1 PM
The Kennedy Center
440 E Squantum St, Quincy, MA 02171

Head to the Kennedy Center for a fascinating up-close encounter with owls. This intergenerational program hosted by the Quincy Council on Aging is open to grandparents, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, and owl fans of all ages!

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Kennedy Center, $3/senior, $3/child

A program for owl and bird enthusiasts
Everyone loves owls! Yet, how often do you get to see an owl up close? Perhaps you’ve glimpsed the shadowy form of a Great-horned Owl in the beam of your headlights as you traveled a back road at night. Have you ever scanned a frozen saltmarsh or hayfield in winter, hoping to find that arctic hunter, the Snowy Owl? How about that mob of noisy crows circling a white pine tree? Have they found an owl? Join teacher/naturalist Marcia Wilson and author/photographer/naturalist Mark Wilson in sharing their passion for owls.

In this program, Mark and Marcia Wilson will introduce you to the owls of New England and beyond. The Wilsons will share the field marks, signs, and naturalist’s skills that you can use to find wild owls without disturbing them.

Meet the owls
Attendees will actually get to meet six live owls (from small to huge) up close! The Wilsons will lead the group in a hooting lesson, and will share tips on how to attract and protect owls near you. We’re not sure which owls will be present, but chances are you’ll meet New England’s tiniest owl, the Northern Saw-Whet Owl (weighing in at 4 ounces) along with the world’s largest owl, the Eurasian Eagle Owl (check out that five foot wingspan!). Other species that figure prominently in the Wilson’s program can include Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl, Barn Owl, Great-horned Owl, Snowy Owl and Spectacled Owl. Owl pellets and white wash are topics of great interest and the Wilsons will spend time dissecting these fascinating aspects of owl biology. For many middle and elementary schools, this ties directly to the science curriculum of the students. Explore owls on the Wilson’s website.

About the Quincy Elder Services
Quincy Elder Services supports members of the Quincy community with services to ensure a high quality of life. The Council provides services to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including hosting support groups to address specific needs, sponsoring fitness and sports events, and offers recreational and social gatherings. They also provide support around legal services, housing assistance, and referral services to elder care agencies.

See other upcoming events this month on our calendar page.

Meet live owls of the world on April 20

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Monica

Who! Who! Who’s Watching You?
A live owl program

Wednesday, April 20 at 1 PM
The Kennedy Center
440 E Squantum St, Quincy, MA 02171

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased at the Kennedy Center, $3/senior, $3/child

About the Quincy Council on Aging
The Council on Aging supports elder members of the Quincy community with services to ensure a high quality of life. The Council provides services to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including hosting support groups to address specific needs, sponsoring fitness and sports events, and offers recreational and social gatherings. They also provide support around legal services, housing assistance, and referral services to elder care agencies.

See other upcoming events this month on our calendar page.

Squantum Scoop

Category Archives: Youth activities

Kick off the holiday season

Santa is coming to Squantum on Dec 20!

Get your float on…sign up today for July Fourth parade!

Head to the Quincy Lunar New Year Festival Feb 10

Kickin’ off the season, Quincy style

Run out and support the parade at the Turkey Trot!

Get your twinkle on! Tree lighting and festivities

It’s Turkey Trot time! Support the parade at the Fun Run

Meet live owls of the world on April 19

Meet live owls of the world on April 20