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New route for Santa Claus Parade means less waiting this year

Route has been shortened, but organizers expect the same turnout for floats and viewers
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Rick Carr, Santa Claus Parade co-chair, and Maureen Luoma, executive director, Downtown BIA, discuss the parade route changes this year. (Arron Pickard)

The Santa Claus Parade will happen again this year — on Nov. 17, to be exact — but viewers can expect a pretty significant change.

The parade route has been cut pretty much in half this year, starting at its usual place at the corner of Notre Dame Street and Ste. Anne Road, before turning south onto Elgin Street and past the School of Architecture. That's where the change takes place.

The floats make a left onto Cedar Street, then left on Durham Street and back to Elm Street toward Notre Dame en route to the finish line.

“This will mean families coming out to enjoy the parade won't have to wait as long if they are near the end of the route,” said Maureen Luoma, executive director, Downtown BIA. “We expect to have the same number of floats, but the route being shorter will reduce the time people will have to stand there.

“People tell us they love the entire parade day, and don't ever change the night parade, but the day was starting to get a little bit long, and that's one of the factors in reducing the length of the parade route.”

Parade co-chair Rick Carr said another main factor in the change is safety and the fact it will require less police resources. Officers are required at each intersection that is closed to traffic for the parade, so this means less officers are needed for the night.

And, with less roads being closed, it will be less of an inconvenience to motorists, Carr said.

Furthermore, parade participants won't be handing out candy or other items during the parade. Instead, that will be done prior to the start of the parade.

“Again, there were safety concerns about children approaching the floats,” Carr said. 

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Greater Sudbury Santa Claus Parade, and it's the 19th night parade. The theme this year is 60 Years of Christmas Magic, making it a very broad theme, but all floats need to have lights and music, said Luoma.

“This isn't just a parade, it's the kickoff to the Christmas season,” Luoma said.

Some 30,000 people are expected to line the streets in order to see the 50 to 60 floats entered each year.

Once again, the Santa Watch Party will keep children busy prior to the parade. It takes place in the TD Canada Trust parking lot at the corner of Durham and Cedar streets from 2-5:30 p.m. with live entertainment, free wagon rides, children's activities and festival foods.

Fireworks will be launched from All Nations Church at 5:15 p.m.

Organizers are putting out the call to those interested in having a float in the parade. Deadline for entry is Nov. 2 and forms can be found at sudburysantaclausparade.com or you can contact Leisure Services at 705-674-4455 ext. 2446.

The committee is also seeking local musicians who might be interested in performing as the Grand Marshall during the parade. Only one band will be selected. There is a list of criteria to meet, and anyone interested can find that on the parade website stated above.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the events on parade day.

For more information, contact Mary Crowder at [email protected] or 705-692-9503.


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Arron Pickard

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