Here’s looking at you, Santa
Santa parade awakens holiday spirit
Santa switched on Christmas for the masses on Saturday, marking the unofficial start of the holiday season in Greater Victoria with the annual Island Farms Santa’s Light Parade.
Eager kids beamed as floats rolled by, marching bands hit their notes, and performers twirled and skipped.
“I like the noise,” said Toby Withers, 4.
Organized by the Greater Victoria Festival Society, it is touted as the largest nighttime Santa parade in Canada.
This event started at the corner of Belleville Street at the B.C. legislature and made its way along Government Street to Herald Street.
There were 75 entries with about 20 floats and 2,300 participants.
An extra “wow” factor was provided by a first-time collaboration featuring Galey Farms’ floats and Stages Dance Co.’s fancy footwork in their interpretation of the Polar Bear Express.
Kai Watson, 6, left with a memory of St. Nick and a bucket full of candy canes to last through the holidays.
Dad Shawn Watson of Oak Bay said his son had been planning his bucket strategy all week. He wasn’t the only one with a plan.
Some parents, it seems, were all about parade prep. Location was key: Those near the start were able to get a sneak peek of Santa, see all the acts first and bolt, while those near the end were close to the after-party and its milk, cookies, performers and pictures with Santa.
Jenny Crane, with her husband and three young kids, said she really enjoys the parade, but being near the start means “you can make a quick retreat and beat the crowds home.”
Kelly Kurta, general manager of the festival society, said this year’s parade was influenced by public comments and, as a result, it started earlier, at 5 p.m.; it was shorter, coming in at an hour long; and it was tighter, with 15 fewer entries.
Kurta estimated the crowd was about the same as it was last year, drawing 60,000 to 65,000 people.
The after-party in Centennial Square was a smashing success, she said. With Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, Santa switched on thousands of LED lights on the giant sequoia at 6:58 p.m.
“It’s booming. It’s packed. It’s fabulous,” Kurta said. As of 7:30 p.m. there was a long line for photos with Santa in his igloo.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” she said. “Beautiful.”