By Dave Ryan

CAMBRIDGE – The 74^th Annual Cambridge-Dorchester County Christmas Parade will once more usher in the Yuletide on the first Saturday in December, as bands, floats, displays and more will travel through the city center.

Led by Chairmen Bruce and Amanda McWilliams, the event’s theme this year is “Snowflakes on Parade”. For decades, it has been one of the county’s most well attended tourist attractions, as thousands line the street to enjoy the sights and sounds of the season.

It’s all done thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of local folks who want to see the tradition continue.

“We are 100 percent volunteer driven,” Mr. McWilliams said, “100 percent funded by the community.”

Those funds are proving to a challenge this year, though. “We’re down on donations,” Mr. Williams said.

Donations and entries are being accepted on the group’s website, christmasparade.org, where supporters can use PayPal to help pay the bills. The parade is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

As for entries, “I would say we’re going to have about 100,” Mr. McWilliams said. “They’ve been rolling in since September.”

They can keep doing that until Dec. 1, he said, when entries will close. Those later participants will be placed at the end of the parade. The lineup will then be completed, and posted on Facebook and the website.

Though the event will not be broadcast on the radio, “We’re going to do a Facebook Live feed,” Mr. McWilliams said.

This year’s grand marshal will be Diana Bloom Rathell, while the junior grand marshal will be  Brody Dendorfer The parade will be held in memory of Lou Fritz, a dedicated supporter who passed away earlier this year.

Plans are already being made for next year’s parade, which will mark three-quarters of a century of Christmas excitement. “We do plan on doing something big next year” to mark the 75^th anniversary, Mr. McWilliams said.

On Dec. 2, lineup will be at 4 p.m., with marching beginning at 5 p.m.