St. John’s welcomes Santa BY BETH PENNEY

Ho Ho Ho! The annual downtown St. John’s Christmas parade attracts thousands

The big guy himself took over the streets of downtown St. John’s on Sunday afternoon to kick off another Christmas season.

Thousands of spectators arrived early for the annual downtown St. John’s Christmas parade, bundled up in snowsuits and blankets. They sipped on their hot chocolate waiting for the festivities to begin.

Cheering children carried their letters to Santa, waiting eagerly for a Canada Post employee to come their way.

Maria from St. John’s had a front row seat to Sunday afternoons parade. She told The Telegram that she wasn’t in the mood to write a letter to Santa this year.

“I think Santa will just be able to know what I want,” she said.

She stood with her parents, braving the cold with non-perishable food items for donation in hand.

The annual Downtown St. John’s Christmas Parade is the largest annual parade in the province, and it is also the largest annual food drive.

All donations were made in support of the Community Food Sharing Association.

Festive floats, community groups, marching bands and dancers made their way down Duckworth Street just after noon on Sunday.

Dachshunds of Newfoundland and Labrador and Beagle Paws were just a couple of the many dog groups who marched through the parade.

Sporting their tiny Christmas sweaters and wagging their tales, all the dogs were a crowd favourite.

Santa finally arrived on Duckworth Street around 1:30 p.m. wishing everybody Merry Christmas, and calling out individual names of children.

“He knew my name! He knew my name!” a group of young boys squealed.

With Christmas music fading in the background, another Christmas season begins in St. John’s.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM The crowd cheers on Water Street in St. John’s as Santa Claus rides by on his brand-new sleigh.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM The Telegram partnered with Choices for Youth again this year on preparation of a Christmas float. Staff and volunteers wave to the thousands of spectators at the downtown St. John’s Christmas parade Sunday.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM Children loved the real-life ragdolls.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM The start of the annual downtown St. John’s Christmas parade on Sunday.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM Dancers from Ashley Feltham School of Dance make their way down Duckworth Street sporting their festive sweaters.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM Santa Claus arrives singing out ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and wishing the crowd a merry Christmas.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM Members of the Cowan Heights Scouts smile and wave to the crowd.

BETH PENNEY/THE TELEGRAM Volunteers collected non-perishable food items for the Community Food Sharing Association all throughout the Christmas parade.