FESTIVE MENSCH
Spreading joy is his goal
The coffee cups are red, the seasonal jingles on an endless loop, and it’s that magical time once again for the Jolly Old Elf to sled into Vancouver.
The 2018 Telus Vancouver Santa Claus Parade returns on Sunday, to the delight of children and big kids alike. For those marking it in their calendars, there are a few things to note. This is a massively popular event and so you will be sharing the downtown space with tens of thousands of other yule enthusiasts. Each year, the event attracts more than 300,000 spectators.
SO HERE ARE FIVE THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: 1. Where does it start?
The parade starts in downtown Vancouver at noon at Georgia and Broughton streets, and travels east on Georgia to Howe. It will then turn south on Howe and finish at Howe and Davie streets. Given the enormous volume of people and vehicles cramming into the downtown core, organizers advise taking transit if you don’t have our own reindeer (of course!). All the events are in walking distance from the Burrard, City Centre, Granville and Waterfront SkyTrain stations.
2. Are there any other activities on Santa Claus Parade day?
You bet. Starting at 8:30 a.m., there is Breakfast with Santa at the Fairmont Hotel at 900 W. Georgia Street. There will be a breakfast buffet and meet and greet with Santa before the parade. The buffet will include a chef-attended pancake and waffle station, a hot chocolate station and a decorateyour-own gingerbread cookie station. This event costs $40 per adult and $20 per child, and you’ll need to make a reservation by calling 604-647-0517.
If that event is out of your budget, there are free family activities as well. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. you can visit Christmas Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Georgia Street. Activities include face painting, kids crafts and a letters to Santa station. The parade at noon is also free of cost.
After the parade, there are free photos with Santa, along with hot chocolate and cookies at Telus Garden at 510 W. Georgia Street.
3. What should I wear/ bring to the event?
Organizers advise dressing in warm and cosy layers, and bring rain gear just in case. Though they would prefer you brought rain jackets with hoods instead of umbrellas, which block views of the parade. Bring chairs to watch the parade, but don’t move or occupy someone else’s chair.
While it’s a good idea to bring a Thermos of hot chocolate, organizers are reminding spectators to please leave your weed at home.
The Santa Claus Parade is also a fundraiser for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, so spectators are encouraged to bring a monetary or non-perishable food donation.
Look for volunteers in yellow ponchos and Santa hats. They will collect the donations at the parade. Alternatively, you can drop them off at the Food Bank tent at Christmas Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The CKNW Kids’ Fund will also be collecting cash donations to help children with special needs.
4. Where is a good place to watch the parade?
If you have small children, you may want to avoid the area around the art gallery to watch the parade. The crowds tend to be heaviest here. Even if you are running late, organizers say you can usually find a good spot near the start of the parade or at the end. Some people set up their chairs early and go for a coffee.
5. What happens if I forget something at the parade?
If you lose something, hopefully someone will turn it in. If you forget an item or find someone else’s belongings on the ground, go to the parade information tent located at Christmas Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery. You will also be able to claim an item by phoning 604-646-3591 or send an email to vansantaparade@pacegroup.com.