Annual Santa Claus parade takes over city streets Dec. 2

Santa Claus is coming to town Dec. 2. The Telus Santa Claus Parade will wind through the streets of Vancouver on the first Sunday of December.

This year’s parade starts at noon and will begin at West Georgia and Broughton streets, travel east along West Georgia, turn south on Howe and finish at Howe and Davie streets.

Volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations on behalf of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. The parade is one the largest food and fundraising events for both the food bank society and the CKNW Kids Fund.

Other events on parade day include breakfast with Santa, 8:30-10:30 a.m., at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. The buffet will include a chef-attended pancake and waffle station, a hot chocolate station and a decorate-your-own gingerbread cookie station. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for children. Reservations can be made by calling 604647-0517.

There will be some pre-parade fun, 10 a.m.-noon, at Christmas Square — with face painting, a letters to Santa station, live entertainment and a food bank drop-off — on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

After the parade, kids of all ages can get free photos with Santa, 2-4 p.m., at Telus Garden (510 West Georgia St.).

Telus saved the parade last year when the Vancouver-based communication giant signed on as the presenting sponsor just a few weeks ahead of the event. The parade, which had previously been presented by Rogers Communications, was in jeopardy due to a $150,000 budget shortfall. Joining Telus as key sponsors this year are Global B.C., Toys R Us and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.