River of Light on TV; in person with ‘Marvelous Magic’ Dec. 3
Nov. 17, 2022 | By Lisa Scagliotti 
Last year’s River of Light parade filled Main Street moving from the State Complex to Dac Rowe Park. Photo by Gordon Miller
The 13th annual River of Light Lantern Parade happens Saturday, Dec. 3, with a theme this year of “Marvelous Magic” as the event gets some national attention with scenes from last year’s parade and its special guest featured in a new HBO documentary released today.
Santa Fin, a.k.a. Finbar Ciappara of Barre, fulfills his wish to be Santa in the River of Light parade. Photo by Gordon Miller
Parade goers at the 2021 River of Light may remember the appearance of Santa Fin in the parade and how his story inspired last year’s parade theme, “What Brings You Joy.” Santa Fin – a.k.a. Finbar Ciappara of Barre – had a film crew from HBO along for a documentary project called “Santa Camp” that is released today on HBO Max. They were in attendance at the parade to capture footage as Santa Fin rode in full Santa Claus costume in a sleigh fulfilling his wish to participate in the annual community event.
Ciappara, now 32, was born with a rare form of spina bifida that severely limits his ability to speak to about two dozen words although he has mastered communicating using an iPad with specialized software. With the help of his family, Ciappara has turned his lifelong fascination with Santa Claus into a career that transcends his disability.
The film is directed and produced by Nick Sweeney (“AKA Jane Roe”), and produced by Emmy Award winner Stacey Reiss (“The Andy Warhol Diaries,” “The Eagle Huntress”).
It focuses on a Greenfield, New Hampshire, annual summer training camp for would-be Santas, including Santa Finn in 2021 when the camp and its attendees tackle the issue of diversity – or lack thereof – among Santas. The group includes a Black Santa, a transgender Santa and Santa Finn, who all challenge the stereotype of the older, white male Santa of pop culture and lore. In addition, a contingent of Mrs. Clauses in the documentary speaks up for equal billing and pay.
The film’s summary from HBO Max says: “The arrival of the new Santas sparks a reckoning about what it means to embody the beloved role model and cultural icon. After graduation, the Clauses draw on their camp experiences to affect change in their communities. But they soon learn that not everybody is ready for Santas who ‘break the mold.’”
There’s been a variety of press coverage of the film so far including People magazine and WCAX Channel 3. Reporter Sally Pollak at Seven Days has a feature story about the project and Ciappara in this week’s edition of the Burlington weekly that’s now posted online here. Santa Fin is also scheduled to visit Waterbury's Stowe Street Cafe on Dec. 18.
Watch the film trailer here:
Details for River of Light 2022
The film release comes as preparations are well under way in Waterbury for this year’s River of Light lantern parade.
Community members have been busy at several weekend lantern-making workshops and students at Brookside Primary School will have new creations to light up for the event.
“We have some wonderfully magical lanterns in store for you,” said parade organizer and art teacher MK Monley.
The parade is back to starting at Brookside Primary School at 5 p.m. Two Burlington-based street bands familiar to parade-goers are on the program again to set the pace and a festive beat: Brazilian samba band Sambatucada and Brass Balagan, with its strains of klezmer, balkan and banda tunes.
Families with students at the school who need to pick up their lanterns should arrive between 4:15 and 4:45 p.m. Those with students in Pre-K through 2nd grade should go to their classrooms where lanterns will be at their desks or coat hooks. Poles will be in the hallways near classrooms.
Lanterns made by students in grades 3-4 will be in the gym and arranged by class. Volunteers will be available to help find them and get them parade-ready.
Everyone is asked to assemble outside in front of the school where there will be no parking for the evening. The lots behind the school will be available along with others in the downtown (see note below about parking).
The parade route goes from the school down Stowe Street, then right on Main Street to Dac Rowe Park where there will be hot chocolate, bonfires, and the Cirque de Fuego fire spinners from Jericho performing.
Motorists should know that Stowe Street and Main Street will be closed along the parade route from approximately 4:55 to 5:30 p.m.
Parents are asked to be sure their children are supervised, especially younger students from Brookside. If children and adults become separated at Dac Rowe, the hot chocolate stand at the pavilion is a designated meeting spot where volunteers can help reunite groups.
At the parade finish, volunteers wearing safety vests will collect the bamboo poles from lanterns to be reused next year.
Parade parking note
During the Dec. 3 River of Light Lantern Parade, there will be no parking in front of Brookside Primary School, along Armory Avenue or at Dac Rowe Park. Lots behind the school will be available as well as street parking downtown and various downtown lots including:
River of Light organizers for the 13th year are artists and art teachers Mame McKee, Sarah-Lee Terrat and MK Monley. Photo courtesy MK Monley
Anderson Field / swimming pool
Post Office
Municipal Building / Waterbury Public Library
51 S. Main St. (former municipal building site)
Behind the Methodist Church - access from Foundry Street
Lots near the Waterbury Train Station
Parade sponsors this year are: Harwood Unified Union School District, Waterbury Winterfest, The Alchemist, Ben and Jerry's, and Billings Mobil. Monley also thanks also the Waterbury Recreation Department and community volunteers who assist and many who have donated to the event.
For more information and last-minute updates should they be necessary (think: weather) check out the River of Light parade website ariveroflightinwaterbury.org.