Santa Claus has a busy parade season
Starting Saturday, events across the region will celebrate the arrival of Christmas
WATERLOO REGION — The days leading up to the annual Santa Claus parade are always hectic for the volunteers who run the show.
Vic Bovingdon, chair of the Lions Club Santa Claus Parade in Kitchener, estimates he puts in at least eight hours a day with other volunteers, as they put the final touches on the Santa float, create the parade lineup and work out other details.
“It’s like a full-time job,” said Bovingdon, who has been the chair for nine years.
This year’s parade, again on Weber Street, will have 28 floats, 10 marching bands and about 120 volunteers making sure the event runs smoothly.
When the big day arrives, the parade is a go whether it’s rain, shine or snow.
Bovingdon said there’s a ton of anticipation from parade participants in the time they form up and are just about ready to head down Weber.
“It’s actually very nice especially when you get the big crowds out because you see the joy on people’s faces,” he said.
Parade-goers are encouraged to bring donations
for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region, donate old eye glasses to the Lions Club for charity, and bring their letters for Santa. All the items will be collected along the route.
The Saturday morning parade kicks off the parade season in the region. It will be followed just hours later by the Cambridge parade.
This year, the City of Cambridge is organizing the parade with the assistance of volunteers. Wanda Schaefer, supervisor of recreation, arts, culture and events, said the city is looking for an interested service group to take over the event next year, after longtime parade co-ordinator and volunteer, Dave Howell, retired from the role last year.
The Cambridge parade gets going at 6 p.m. and donations to the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank and letters for Santa will be collected along the route. This year’s parade will have about 60 entries and 12 marching bands.