Tillsonburg Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade - Saturday, Nov. 15
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Santa Claus is coming to town Saturday, Nov. 15 for the annual Tillsonburg Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade at 2 p.m.
"People have been asking about floats, so it should be a bigger, better parade this year," said Mike Dean, Kiwanis past-president. "No registration is required – just show up before the designated time and we'll put you in the spot. Your float or parade vehicle must be decorated in a Christmas theme."
Marshaling typically begins around 12 p.m. (noon).
"There's some people who build their float right there as we're lining them up, and that's fine, we have lots of room."
For those handing out candy during the parade, organizers ask that it is 'handed out', not thrown, for the safety of the thousands of parade viewers who annually line the parade length of Broadway.
In addition to the man in the red suit from the North Pole, special guests this year include Elsa, Olaf and friends from the hit Disney movie Frozen.
"They are going to be in the parade on a float," noted Dean, expecting at least 30-35 floats, ranging from the Scouts, Guides, dance studios, ringette and hockey, figure skating, service clubs, church groups, politicians (including the town's mayor and mayor-elect) and many, many more.
This year's parade is brought to you by the Tillsonburg Kiwanis Club, Town of Tillsonburg, BIA, Knights of Columbus, and Tillsonburg Town Centre, who all made donations to the parade.
The parade route will be the same as last year's, he said, organizing behind Avondale United Church, to Oxford Street, to Broadway and north to Sanders Street where they finish at the Tillsonburg Community Centre. Those in the parade are invited inside for refreshments.
Four bands are scheduled to participate on the 15th, including the Tomato Soup Band. The Ingersoll Pipe Band will be making the full three-parade circuit with Saturday Santa parades in Tillsonburg, Ingersoll and Woodstock, all on the same day.
"Usually our parade lasts about an hour, hour-and-a-half," said Dean."I think we were an hour and 20 minutes last year."