Deck the Halls Parade

12/05/2022

We are sad to announce that there will not be a Deck the Halls Parade this year, but happy to say that we have meetings in the works with people who have expressed interest in perhaps working on a 2023 event.

The last parade was the 2019 Texas theme. My mother, Barbara Atkinson, who created many of the beautiful costumes, went into the hospital on December 1 and passed away on January 1. We managed to pull off the parade in spite of staying at the hospital and only leaving for parade day. We are thankful and proud that we were able to march for our spectators and for her - even though our hearts were breaking.

Covid prevented us from rolling for the past 2 years. Restrictions stopped us from moving forward in 2020. The next year, the rise of the new variants interfered, as people had not been able or willing to commit to participating or watching. The impact of the new way of life is still part of the equation. Additionally, life has dealt us some challenging circumstances – including deaths and family illnesses, which have changed our dynamics significantly.

When we started the event about 28 years ago, which was a block party that grew every year until it developed into the parade, I was in my late 20’s and am now in my 50’s. David and I only had 1 child, Noelle, who was the main entertainment for that first year. She was a dancing elf on a flatbed filled with toys, followed by a neighbor who pushed her cats in a stroller dressed as a bride and groom! Our daughters Lyric and Sonnet were born later and made it possible for us to have a Live Nativity with real infants. Our children have gotten married or moved to colleges in another state. Their friends (and parents) who we relied upon to act as characters have grown up. Many personal friends, as well as customers and employees of our family businesses who were reliable favorites, have also moved and/or retired. Some have passed away.

The parade was created to strengthen community spirit, celebrate diversity, and collect toys for children who would otherwise receive no gifts. It blossomed into a joyous expression of gratitude, whimsy, creativity, and connection. We love the Westbury community, and words cannot express our gratitude for everyone who has come out to watch or participate.

So with this announcement, we encourage all to continue the parade day traditions you have created within your own families. We hope you will also donate toys to Pancho Claus and children who would not have a Christmas without your generosity.

If you are interested in joining efforts for 2023 and beyond, please message us and we will keep you updated as plans are developing now. The parade requires a full year of intense planning, coordinating, networking, sewing, publicizing, purchasing, setting up the permits, security, bands, trucks, volunteers, and more - so there's need for plenty of hands.

Thank you so much for your support throughout the years and we wish you all a magical holiday season - however you and your wonderful family choose to celebrate!

Ember Mandell and Family

P.S. We truly appreciate the messages sent to us already and are trying to get to each one.

05/25/2022

Visit our great friends at Westbury Square for their last days there!

Then and now! Check out this throwback to PUCS’s first anniversary. Don’t forget: your last chance for PUCS at Westbury Square will be this Friday and Saturday until 12pm.

10/27/2021

Dear Supporters of Deck the Halls Parade,

When the COVID numbers started to go down earlier in the year, we were very excited to schedule the parade and began moving forward. The Houston Pride Band agreed to lead the parade once again, and I started reaching out to put things together. As the Delta variant rose, it became apparent that garnering participation was becoming more difficult. I tried to wait it out and see if things would become more promising with a little time.

Unfortunately, COVID is still an issue. Not only do I not feel at all comfortable with creating an event that brings 10,000 people together, but others who would be the participants are not willing to completely commit at this time either.

As you know, Deck the Halls Parade ran for 22 successive years with no interruption, even the year my mom was dying. She insisted that we go forward, and we tried to get her released for a few hours so that she and I could take one last ride on the route in our golf cart. It was devastating that we were not able to do so. Even so, I can still feel the joy she brought to the parade preparations every year and I can see her sewing her incredible costumes in my mind's eye.

COVID has changed everything, and still threatens not only our way of life, but our actual lives. It makes me very sad to announce that we will not march this year because the parade is something very dear to my family, and it has become a tradition for so many families.

We will miss you all this year but we cannot wait to hit the route in 2022! Thank you for all of the love and support that you have given us through the years. We wish you all a beautiful holiday season!

-Ember Mandell

12/21/2020

Congrats to all the winners, including our friend and sponsor Keith Buddha Kendall of Cue's Burgers and More! Thanks for keeping the holiday spirit alive in the neighborhood!

Congratulations to the winners of the online holiday decoration contest!!

Best of 2020(Theme Winner) - 11923 Ashcroft
The Shining (Most/Brightest Lights) - 5238 Creekbend
All Decked Out (Over the Top) - 11111 Fonda
Overly Inflated (Most/Unique Inflatables) - 5639 Portal
Best Hanukkah (Religious) - 10918 Ashcroft
Best Christmas (Religious) - 5703 Benning

12/07/2020

We are very disappointed that Deck the Halls will not be rolling this year due to the many challenges the pandemic presents. This is the first time in our 22 year history that we will not march. We want everyone to know that we love you all and miss you. We plan on having an absolutely fantastic comeback in 2021! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe and we will see you next year!

03/17/2020

Something beautiful and stupendous is happening tomorrow!

Neighbors of 77035 and 77096...

Parker Elementary has challenged their young musicians to play in their front yard tomorrow at 10am (if weather cooperates). We have so many musicians in our community and neighborhood, why not increase the amount of music. If you play an instrument, bring it out tomorrow at 10am! If it's a piano, open your windows.

Younger children can play drums, whistles, xylophones, etc.

Don’t forget to stay at least 6 feet away for safety, but cheering and clapping is encouraged!

Stay well neighbors.

02/08/2020

Check out our good friend Keith Buddha Kendall and Cue's Burgers and More featured for Car Week on the History Channel!

01/06/2020

As many of you know, my mom created so many of the beautiful costumes you have enjoyed in the Deck the Halls Parade through the years. She passed away New Years Day. If you have been touched by her talent when viewing the parade, or kindness personally, you are invited.

CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF Barbara Atkinson

Friends and Family,

Please join us as we celebrate my mom and her contributions to the world and our lives on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 2:00 pm.

Service will be held at First Christian Church at 1601 Sunset Blvd, Houston 77005.

Our family friend, Reverend Jeanine Anderson McMillan will be officiating. Prayer and Scripture reading by Pastor Michael T. Dunn.

Readings by former students and close friends, Khaled Bakkar, Hana Bakkar, Mary Elizabeth, and Adam Orkin. Special music by Steff Overton, Amy Lynch Kolflat and Martin Shotwell. Mother's blessing by Sable Levy. Poetry by grandchildren Sonnet Woozy Mandell and Lyric Mandell. Eulogy by son-in-law David Mandell.

Immediately following the service, the New Orleans Hustlers Brass Band will burst into thunderous song, and all of the friends and family gathered will dance in a joyous second line to bid the woman we love so much farewell until we meet again. Then we will all enjoy shrimp gumbo and ice tea, her favorite meal, in Knowles Hall.

We hope you can come and be a part of this day to remember and give thanks for the life of such a great light in our lives!

Many have asked about a charity to donate to in her honor. We have chosen Mueller's Monster Mash because it focuses on some of the most important things to her. As you know, she loved children and served as administrator of our family's school Beresford, for 13 years. Additionally she was a fabulous seamstress, former owner of Passport Enterprises, and created amazing costumes for the Deck the Halls Parade for 21 years.She was a grant writer for MD Anderson for 14 years. She also helped us form the Meyerland Candy Crawl to offer a safe and fun Halloween experience for children. We believe she would be very happy to be a part of supporting this wonderful organization.

01/04/2020

It is with the greatest sadness that we want to let people know that Barbara Atkinson passed away on New Years Day 2020. Barbara is my mom and the person who sewed countless beautiful costumes for the parade. She also helped in all aspects of the parade, from making flyers in 1998 and beyond, to even the most minute details on 2019. You saw her every year riding with me on my golf cart, waving to everyone and thanking them for coming.

She had a sudden and intense battle with pancreatic cancer. She was brought home and the entire family was with her, telling her how much we love her, as she took her last breath on this earth.

Her doctors tried to get her a pass to see the parade this year as a dying wish, but insurance would not approve her leaving in her condition. When it was time for me to get on the golf cart without her, I didn’t think I could do it. We stayed with her night and day the entire time she was at the hospital, but she told me to go to the parade and “kill it!”. I rode the route holding her in my heart the whole time.

We are devastated by her loss and wish to let everyone know that she loved the parade, the neighbors, the participants, and doing things for Deck the Halls.

Thank you to everyone who have sent your kind words and helped us through this difficult time.

The memorial service will be announced soon.