Santa Claus Parade set for Dec. 8
Organizers encourage fun and lighting up the holidays
Get your marker out and circle the date on your calendar. The annual New Glasgow Fire and Rescue Santa Claus Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 8, at 5:30 p.m.
This year there is a slight change to the parade starting point. It will now begin from Granville Street but follow the same route it has in past years down East River Road, onto Archimedes Street, onto North Provost and then up Provost Street ending at Stewart Street.
The theme for this year’s parade is Holiday Light Up and the parade committee encourages entries to support this theme by being creative and festive.
“We wanted something that was Christmas related, but broad enough for our parade entrants to really have fun with, when planning their floats,” said Art MacLean, co-chair of the parade committee. “The theme allows for a diverse range of entrants to participate focusing on culture, community, youth and music.”
All entrants are encouraged to illuminate their floats in some way and to also include music.
“It promises to be a magical event and a great kick-off to the holiday season,” said Mayor Nancy Dicks, Town of New Glasgow. “I am looking forward to participating in the parade once again this year with some special guests joining me in the historical barouche.”
The Parade Committee has announced Honorary Grand Marshall will be Viola’s Place, a recently opened homeless shelter located on Marsh Street, New Glasgow. The shelter, under the operation of the Viola’s Place Society, will provide shelter, food and clothing to those in need.
“The Parade Committee has been working hard, planning an exciting parade and trying to bring in some entertaining new entrants, while continuing the traditions of parades past,” says MacLean.
The Kinsmen and Kinettes Clubs of New Glasgow will conduct their food drive for the Pictou County East Food Bank and a toy drive sponsored by Atlantic Dodge, United Way of Pictou County and NS Jeep Club, North Nova Chapter will also be conducted. All toys collected will be distributed by the United Way of Pictou County within Pictou County.
Any business, church group, music group, band, youth group or school interested in participating in the parade can contact Paula Munro-Fraser by email — mom_3boys@hotmail.com — or by calling 902-759-7483. Entry forms are also available at the New Glasgow Fire Department, Dalhousie Street or at the New Glasgow Town Office, 111 Provost St.