OUR STORY
Deck the Halls Parade was started by Ember Mandell in 1998 as a block party and a one street procession down Burlinghall Drive. As a native of New Orleans, Ember wanted to create a neighborhood parade like the many that roll through areas of her hometown.
Husband David Mandell was Hanukkah Harry, and his friends were Santa Claus and Kwanzaa King. Daughter Noelle Mandell danced to Holly Jolly Christmas on a neighbor's flatbed trailer surrounded by toys and dressed as a elf with a candy cane walking stick. Evelyn Perkins pushed her cats dressed as a bride and groom in a stroller, and kids rode along on bikes and skates. Karl and Marilyn Fehrenkamp hosted a live nativity in their front yard. Neighbors came outside with cookies, hot chocolate, tamales, and other treats. Every year, the Mandells worked to add more things to the procession, and it grew and it grew. It is now a whimsical parade that rolls 15 blocks through Westbury that includes a yearly theme, bands, sports teams, scouts, local businesses, churches, schools, and community organizations. There is a delightful procession of the incredible art cars from the world renowned Houston Art Car Klub following the parade.
The Mandell family sponsors the parade, and works on the event year-round. Ember and David Mandell, the three sisters Noelle, Lyric, and Sonnet Mandell, and grandmother Barbara Atkinson, pick a theme each year, develop characters, design, purchase, and create costumes, choose music, fill character positions, make signs and props, market the parade, and direct it on golf carts the day of.
Deck the Halls strengthens community spirit, celebrates diversity, and collects toys for children in need. This year, Deck the Halls celebrates 21 years of parading through Westbury.
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Be delighted by the whimsy of volunteers who come together to bring costumed characters to life for the crowd. Be captivated by the ethereal dancers and talented musicians.
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Become enthralled with the electricity that fills the air on parade day, as people and pets
fill the streets of Westbury to participate in this unique and enchanting holiday tradition.
fill the streets of Westbury to participate in this unique and enchanting holiday tradition.