Santa Claus parading through Welland
Santa Claus is coming to town. Before joining the annual Welland Santa Claus Parade Saturday afternoon, Santa will stop by Seaway Mall at 11: 25 a. m. But before the jolly fellow’s arrival, families can enjoy a show from Thomas and Friends at 11 a. m. at Cinema Court.
Thomas and Friends are visiting the mall for the first time and will perform a fun story for audiences. The show will take the audience to an imaginary world with music and stories.
“Santa works so hard all season long that we wanted to organize a nice event for his arrival,” mall president Mike Belcastro said in a media release about inviting Thomas and Friends to the mall.
After meeting children and families at the mall, Santa will get ready to participate in the parade, which begins by Canadian Tire Financial Services on East Main Street at 4 p. m. The parade will move west, ending at Welland Civic Square at about 4: 45 p. m.
Sarah Ane, the city’s community development/ volunteer co- ordinator, said people can look forward to seeing about 45 floats, as well as marching bands, schools and, of course, Saint Nick.
“It will be his biggest appearance of the year,” she said with a smile.
Santa will take letters from children after the parade at the civic square. Ane reminded parents to include a return address on the letters, so Santa can send a letter back.
During the parade people can donate nonperishable food to fill a city bus. Someone on the bus will collect good along the route. The city has started a campaign called # fillthebus for people to share their experience.
Ane said there will also be opportunities to donate money along the route.
Eventgoers will also enjoy seeing the lighting of the Chirstmas tree at the civic square at 5 p. m.
After the parade, the movie Merry Madagascar will be shown at 5: 30 p. m. on the big screen. There will be hot chocolate, cookies and face painting, all for free at the square.
Ane said people should dress warm because it might get chilly while watching the movie, which is only about 30 minutes long.
For Stephanie Hicks, executive director of the Downtown BIA, being a sponsor of the parade is important to showcase the great features downtown has to offer. She said the BIA will participate in the parade and will be handing out candy to the crowd — this will be the third year it has done this.
“We try to enhance it every year,” she said.
Santa will be at the mall Mondays to Fridays from 11 a. m. to 3 p. m. and 4 p. m. to 8 p. m. On Saturdays he’ll visit from 11 a. m. to 5: 30 p. m. and Sundays from 11 a. m. to 5 p. m.