Seabrook May Start Own Parade After Hampton Rejects Bar

Seabrook could soon get its own holiday parade thanks in part to a Hampton controversy that still has the owner and patrons of an area bar steaming.

Seabrook selectmen and Town Manager Bill Manzi reportedly announced during a public meeting Monday morning that should the Chop Shop Pub — blocked from participating in Saturday's Hampton Christmas Parade due to safety issues — pursue the formation of a Seabrook parade, the idea would have their support, according to Seabrook resident Daniel Batal.

Batal, of Seabrook-based Focalpoint Renovations, said Chop Shop owner Bill Niland spoke during Monday's regular Seabrook Board of Selectmen meeting to apprise them of the situation. 

Niland has released e-mails between himself and John Nyhan, the president of Experience Hampton Inc., which organizes Hampton's annual parade, after Nyhan's group has ruled that the Chop Shop can't have a float or motorcycle riders in this year's festivities.

Niland reportedly told Seabrook selectmen Monday that if Hampton won't include his business, then Seabrook should start its own parade as part of an effort that seeks to include anyone wishing to help spread holiday cheer as well as community and charitable spirit, according to Batal.

Batal characterized the idea as one that could help the Seacoast area without creating an atmosphere of hostility between Hampton and Seabrook.

"All of the Chop Shop supporters and local residents were all hoping for a positive outcome to this particular situation and when Experience Hampton Inc. seemingly couldn't provide one, it looks as though Bill Niland and the Chop Shop Pub just may have come up with a solution," said Batal.

Niland has claimed his biker bar and its parade volunteers are being unjustly discriminated against.

Batal released another pro-Chop Shop YouTube video on Monday, this time outlining that they've found many other floats — including Experience Hampton's float — have been violating the Experience Hampton parade and safety rules in recent years.

The video uses still images from past Hampton parades, and Batal said many of the images used were posted online by Experience Hampton. Batal said the images support Niland's claims that the Chop Shop is being held to a different kind of standard than other parade entries.

Patch couldn't reach Nyhan for comment Monday.