Community Corner

Outgoing City Manager Named Christmas Parade Grand Marshal

Manassas City Manager Larry Hughes, who will be retiring at the end of the year, has been named Grand Marshal for the 2011 Greater Manassas Christmas Parade.

Manassas City Manager Larry Hughes, who will be retiring at the end of the year, has been named Grand Marshal for the 2011 Greater Manassas Christmas Parade.

The good news was shared at the regularly-scheduled Manassas City Council Meeting on Monday, Oct. 24 by Parade Chairman John Martin.

Hughes said he was "honored, humbled and surprised" after the announcement was made. Hughes said he is proud to serve where many great people have served before him. 

Find out what's happening in Manassaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hughes has been the City Manager for over 12 years, and has been noted for his creativity, flexibility, and budgeting and financing skills when managing the city.

The Volunteer Parade Committee—made up of seven volunteers—was introduced to the council Monday night.

Find out what's happening in Manassaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It was also announced a group of firefighters from New York will be participating in this year's parade.

The special relationship between the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade and a group of New York firefighters began 10 years ago after 9/11, when they came down to Manassas to take part in the parade and tree lighting ceremony at the Manassas Museum. They did this for five or six years before the leader of the group passed away, Martin said. Then they stopped coming.

A group of NY firefighters under a new leader will be coming back to Manassas this year, as the nation recognizes the 10th anniversary of the attacks.

"They are back to share Christmas with us," Martin said.

The 66th Annual Greater Manassas Christmas Parade will take place on Saturday, December 3, 2011.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here