Despite a few changes this year, Santa Claus will still be coming to town on Saturday as part of the Santa Claus Parade.
The most significant changes are the change in direction of the parade route and the timing of the fireworks display, said Maureen Luoma, executive director of Downtown Sudbury BIA.
While the parade route will remain the same, it will actually go in the opposite direction this year. As for the fireworks, they will light up the sky starting at 5:15 p.m. — prior to the start of the parade, instead of at the end of the parade.
“If you're picking your spot, and you were at the beginning of the parade route last year, you'll be at the end of route this year, so that's something to keep in mind when you're making plans,” Luoma said.
“The fireworks are always a spectacular show, and we think the extra height of them being let off on the Van Horne hill will let even more spectators to see it.”
The parade gets underway at 5:30 p.m., when more than 30,000 spectators are expected to converge on the downtown to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus. This year's theme is Merry Christmas Canada! Happy 150th Birthday. Entries in the parade are required to reflect that theme. Doing otherwise will land them on Santa's naughty list.
Judges will vote on the best entries, and awards will be presented to the winners on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. at Northern Water Sports Centre.
The Santa Watch Party will also take place prior to the parade — from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the municipal parking lot at the corner of Larch and Elgin streets. There will be live entertainment, free wagon rides, Jumper the Clown, plenty of children's activities and festival foods.
“The countdown is on,” Luoma said. “It's amazing when you start organizing something that's so far off, and then all of a sudden, you wake up one morning, and it's happening in a few days. Everything is going well, though.”
Luoma offers up this advice for parade-goers: Dress warm, because even though it's supposed to be a mild day on Saturday, it gets cold when the sun goes down.
If you're not able to make it out to this year's Santa Claus Parade or prefer not to brave the forecasted damp snowy weather, don't despair — Sudbury.com will be there!
Check out our live stream above to enjoy the festive music, floats and lights from the comfort of your home beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18.
