DERRY — Derry loves a parade!

Thanks to continuing support and financial help from individuals and businesses, the annual Greater Derry/Londonderry Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade is making strides toward another successful venture in 2009.

The parade is set for Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. with the theme, "A Star-Spangled Holiday." The parade has marched down Derry streets for more than 20 years, traditionally the Saturday following Thanksgiving, bringing out thousands of people to the downtown area, with marching bands, children's groups, guest performers, and returning favorites taking to the local streets to help ring in the holiday season.

Last week, the parade committee received a big monetary boost from Birch Heights retirement community. The Derry facility presented $2,000 to support the parade.

The donation will help the parade in a big way, according to Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Gina Gulino-Payne, who accepted the award at Birch Heights with other parade committee members.

"We wanted to give back," said Birch Heights' Alice Ramsay, a member of the facility's community management team. "The community does a lot for us."

Gulino-Payne said earlier this year the parade had come into some financial straits, and struggled for support and volunteer help.

With donations like the Birch Heights money and other support, this year's parade is shaping up to be bigger and better, organizers said.

Parade committee co-chair Steve Dente added others in the community are stepping up to the plate to help the parade and added this year's event will be a great one.

"We have more bands than we did last year," Dente said.

The favorites are returning this year, he said, including West Running Brook Middle School and Gilbert H. Hood Middle School bands, plus Pinkerton Academy and Londonderry High.

Dente said the bands can be "adopted" for $400 by anyone wishing to help out the parade. Enterprise Bank has already adopted the Pinkerton marchers.

Another parade fixture is the annual food drive, hosted by members of the Derry Village Rotary Club. Rotarians will walk the parade route and collect nonperishable items to support local food pantries.

The Chamber's "Citizen of the Year" and "Business of the Year" honorees also ride in the parade every year.

The Chamber's Web site at www. derry-chamber.org has parade information link for those who want to register floats, and schools, churches, local groups, and bands, who want to participate this year. Parade day will coincide with other holiday events planned for the community, including fun family activities, holiday sing-a-longs, special events at area businesses, and the annual tree lighting ceremony in front of the Adams Memorial Building.

Call the Chamber for additional parade information at 432-8205.