Mayor names grand marshals

PORTSMOUTH – The Pease Greeters and Cross Roads House Board of Directors President Lex Scourby have been named grand marshals of Saturday’s Illuminated Holiday Parade celebrating “A Portsmouth Christmas,” Mayor Tom Ferrini announced Wednesday.

They will join seven marching bands, 11 floats, 42 vehicles and walking units, and Santa Claus when the parade steps off at 6 p.m. following the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, which begins at 5 p.m. with holiday music performed by the Portsmouth Middle School Band at the parade reviewing stand in Market Square. An estimated 8,000 people are expected to line the 1.1-mile parade route that begins at the Plaza 800 area and ends at the South Mill Pond parking lot.

“I am delighted to recognize these extraordinary citizens for their contributions to our community, the Seacoast area and our nation,” the Mayor said. “This year’s marshals are terrific examples of how the efforts of individuals can make a huge difference for others.”

“The Pease Greeters honor our soldiers in extraordinary ways by meeting the flights that land in Portsmouth as either the final stop -- or the first one home -- on U.S. soil for the brave men and women participating in the global war on terrorism," said the Mayor. “Lex Scourby has contributed his time, money and expertise to help Cross Roads House expand to better serve those who need it most in our community. I am proud to pay tribute to these folks who honor all of us with their community service.”

            Since forming in the spring of 2005, the Pease Greeters have met 320 U.S. military flights and now number over 2,000 members. The group will be represented by four longtime participants who have devoted countless hours to organizing events at the Pease terminal to greet arriving and departing flights at all hours of the day and night: Ray Jellison of Portsmouth; Chuck Cove of York, Maine and one of the founding members; Larry Larkin of Rollinsford; and Bette Owens of Stratham. The group’s youngest greeter, Cove’s 5-year-old granddaughter Maggie Mae Cove-Hamel, has been invited to join them in the reviewing stand area.

Scourby, president of Orion Seafood International, Inc., of Portsmouth, is a longtime supporter of Cross Roads House and presided over the Board that oversaw the recent campaign to raise $5 million for its new 21,000-square-foot facility and the planned renovation of an existing family facility. When complete, the emergency and transitional shelter founded in 1982 will offer nearly 100 beds for homeless men, women and children of Rockingham, Strafford and southern York, Maine, counties. Scourby also serves as chair of the Portsmouth Regional Hospital Board of Trustees and is a member of the New England College Board of Trustees.

The parade route and other information related to the parade can be found. The City will offer a set $3 parking fee between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the High-Hanover Parking Facility for those attending the downtown events. For a list of the downtown streets that will be closed from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Click here.

Holiday Parade 2009