St. Thomas Optimist Santa Claus Parade photo, website
One of St. Thomas’s most beloved holiday traditions is getting ready to return, and this year marks a special milestone for the event.
The St. Thomas Optimist Club will host its 40th annual Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 21st, bringing colourful floats, marching bands, community groups and, of course, Santa Claus to downtown St. Thomas.
myFM sat down with Optimist Club member Gar Shaw, who says the parade, which kicks off around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Talbot Street and First Avenue, is all about spreading the holiday spirit.
This year’s parade theme is Christmas in Whoville, giving participants the chance to put a Grinch-inspired spin on their floats and decorations. And it’s going to be a big one once again, with roughly 50 floats and three bands registered to take part.
As the parade reaches its 40th year, Shaw says the milestone speaks to the Optimist Club’s continued commitment to bringing the community together.
With their mandate being “Friends of Youth,” Shaw says the parade is about creating memories for families, putting smiles on children’s faces and giving local organizations and businesses an opportunity to be part of something special.
Families are encouraged to get comfortable by bringing lawn chairs or blankets and finding a cozy spot along Talbot Street. Shaw suggests heading farther west along the route, where there may be a little more room to watch.
And while the event is designed for families, Shaw reminds everyone that throwing candy is not permitted to ensure the safety of children along the parade route.
Residents are encouraged to bring along non-perishable food items or cash donations, which will be collected by the St. Thomas Fire Department and distributed to Christmas Care. Children can also bring their letters for Santa, with Canada Post collecting them near the end of the parade.
Registration for parade participants remains open. Those interested in taking part can find details at Optimistsantaclausparade.ca.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
