New energy for parade
Number of new entries brings number of participants to at least 75
Camp Gencheff and the Dutch Inn hotel in Cornwall are among the 15 first-time entries that in the Charlottetown Christmas Parade on Saturday.
The parade begins at 5 p.m. at the University Avenue entrance to UPEI and follows the same route as in previous years.
“It’s really nice to see the energy that comes out of those groups,’’ Laurel Lea, tourism officer for the City of Charlottetown said in regards to the new entries, “and the groups that are returning year after year. It really is the perfect kickoff to the holiday season and it really gets you into the festive mood.’’
As of early this week, there were 75 entries. The city is capping the number of entries at 100 just because of the duration of the parade.
“You can set your deadline, but people still do register after the deadline, they still do show up the morning of . . . they’ve been doing it for 19 years.’’
In addition to the new entries, Santa Claus’s float will have a different look to it this year although Lea wouldn’t say any more than that.
Canada Post is going to be collecting letters along the route beginning at 4:30 p.m. Some of their employees will be staying back until the end of the parade in case anyone missed getting their letter in. It’s important to remember to include a return address on Santa’s letter so Santa can write back.
The Upper Room Food Bank will also be collecting non-perishable items at 4:30 p.m.
Lea stresses that “no parking” will be strictly enforced along the route. Any violators will be towed at their own expense.
In order to accommodate the parade, the following streets will be closed to traffic, 4-7 p.m. or until the parade wraps up:
- University Avenue from Enman Crescent to Euston Street;
- Great George Street from Euston Street to Grafton Street;
- Grafton Street from Prince Street to West Street;
- West Street from Grafton Street to Kent Street;
- Kent Street from West Street to Terry Fox Drive.
A pre-parade party will be held at the Confederation Court Mall,1-4 p.m. There will be facepainting, balloon-twisting and free antler hats while supplies last. Santa Claus will then visit the Charlottetown Mall, 7-8:30 p.m.