The big man returned to Toronto to take part in the annual Santa Claus Parade this holiday season. Marking 119 years since it started, the event took place Nov. 26 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Those who came out to see the nearly 30 floats and other entertainment, packed the six-kilometre parade route which ran from the area of Christie Street & Bloor Street West to Jarvis Street & Front Street.
“It’s an amazing tradition for so many people, they themselves remember going to the parade when they were young, now they’re taking their kids and seeing the reaction of people when they see larger than life floats or they hear amazing music or that moment when Santa appears, it’s just a special moment, purely about making people happy,” said Clay Charters, president and CEO with the parade.
While there was tons for revellers to see, the star of the show was there atop his float to close out the parade. His favourite part he says, is seeing all those who come out to celebrate the holiday season.
“What you get the chance to see is the enthusiasm of all the people who are on the parade route. I mean, for many of these people, it’s generations. They have been there for three generations; their grandparents may be there. So, I really enjoy that part of that. And over the years, you begin to see that the audience changes, and the audience interacts with you. Maybe back in the 1950s, it might have been they’re all just standing there awing at what’s their seeing. But now people will call out and people will hold up signs,” said Claus. “So, I enjoy that any opportunity I have to engage, either on the float or outside the float. That’s my favourite part.”
Apart from being spectators, people could participate by running in the Holly Jolly Fun Run which started around 45 minutes before the parade.
Over a thousand people dressed up in Christmas-themed costumes and holiday sweaters to run along the parade route. All proceeds from the run directly supported the parade.
Charters also shared that the parade is not just for people who celebrate Christmas but for everyone in Toronto to enjoy with their loved ones.
“One of the things that we’ve been making efforts to do in the past couple of years is to just make sure the audience knows that this parade is for everyone… Last year was our first year where we had an indigenous float. That was the first float to go down the street and telling the creation story. And this year, we are happy to welcome both the Caribbean carnival and Pride Toronto to the parade,” he said.
The parade is an annual event that thousands in Toronto look forward to. Volunteer opportunities and other information on the parade can be found on www.thesantaclausparade.com.
