We’ve gone to our towns Santa Claus parade for as long as I can remember. Considering I can’t remember what I had for breakfast, that isn’t very long. However, I do remember last years parade and know that this years was way better.
For me, it was because the companies and organizations really got into the holiday spirit as opposed to just seeing the parade as an opportunity to advertise their company. I don’t have a problem with them doing this, in fact, we were pleased to discover a few companies that we didn’t know existed and will need in the near future. It’s just that I can watch cars with people in them drive by on any street corner and don’t have to freeze my toes off (literally) to do it.
The Kids (randomly) met up with several kids from their class and ended up sitting with a boy that takes the bus with them. We were fortunate to be sitting near a fire barrel because while it wasn’t really cold, it was chilly when the wind would rush in. It kind of felt like Halloween 2.0 (note that I’m still writing that post) because The Kids left with a bag full of candy!?
There is also a huge charity component to the event. Fireman walk in the parade and people put money in their boot. This years local charity was the Salvation Army. The Kids took the “donate” portion of their weekly allowance (they’d collected 50 cents each!) and donated it. They were so proud. There is also a float collecting canned goods and another for toys. (My camera card has been wonky and randomly deleting pictures so I didn’t get one. Next year).
After Santa Claus goes by, people are encouraged to go to the local college and enjoy free hot chocolate, cookies and the chance to meet Santa Claus too. In past years it’s been a Zoo so we haven’t gone but now that The Kids are older, we might try it again.
Will You Go To Your Santa Claus Parade?
The Santa Claus Parade 2015 #Kemptville #Christmas #SantaClaus @zoojourneys https://t.co/PLuVnN7RAr
— Journeys of The Zoo (@zoojourneys) November 25, 2015
Our town has a Santa parade. Some years are good and some years the parade is pretty tiny. The kids love going to the park after the parade. The local Lions Club has hot chocolate, chili, and hot dogs.
I hear you about the candy! The kids get so much at the parades in our town. It’s crazy!! Our parade is the 2nd Saturday in December. I’m really hoping it’s not too cold.
Dear Kirsten,
Fingers crossed for the weather as there was snow on the ground the third week in November last year! It’s a great time to see people though.
You reminded me that ours also offers hot chocolate, cookies and the chance to meet Santa Claus too. It’s usually a zoo and not organized so we’ve avoided it for a few years. Maybe next year now that The Kids are older.
Besos Sarah.
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Our city doesn’t have a Santa Claus parade, as far as I know.
Dear Ali,
Come to our parade!!!
Besos Sarah.
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We don’t have a parade but we do have a tree lighting event. A large tree is erected in the space outside of the civic center which also has nearby art gallery, library, outdoor skating rink and swimming pool. In addition to the tree lighting there is free hot chocolate, sleigh rides, story time at library, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus show up! There is also the indoor festival of the trees going on inside the Civic Centre, where there are lots of tress/wreaths on display. The festival raises money through admission, live auction, breakfast and lots of other events for the foundation that purchases much needed items for our hospital!
Dear Tara,
That sounds like so much fun and I love the charity component. Where do you live?
I forgot to mention that fireman walk in the parade and people put money in their boot. This year the charity was the Salvation Army. The Kids took the “donate” portion of their weekly allowance (they’d collected 50 cents each!) and donated it. They were so proud. There is also a float collecting canned goods and another for toys.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…The Earlier You Invest in Your Child’s RESP, The Better Off They’ll Be!
We are out west, in Northern British Columbia. I love the fact that your parade has a charity component to it as well! I can’t imagine a parade this time of year…woke up this morning and it was -17 degrees…needless to say I had a hard time getting out of bed.
PS…I would love to bypass winter and tag along to Mexico…lol
Dear Tara,
Great to know that when we winter in British Columbia (when we’re too old to go to Mexico), there will be lots of parades for us to go to.
Let me know when you’re coming to Mexico and we’ll set you up! Until then, stay warm.
Besos Sarah.
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It sounds like it was a great parade, just the wind put a bit of a damper on it. I’d have been right next to you by the fire barrel, I don’t like the cold and I understand you heading off to Mexico! Imagine, no more snow shovelling, marvellous – my hips and shoulders suffered from getting rid of the last lot here. Here’s hoping that the forecast is correct this time and that it really will be a mild winter.
Dear Elizabeth,
For Canadians sakes, I too hope that it will be a mild winter. Stay safe and warm.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…What Would You Name Her? #Travel
We’re always waiting for that snowfall – we must be optomist.
Dear Cass,
You and my kids. They can’t wait for it to snow. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Besos Sarah.
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Hi! Visiting from Eli’s blog. Our town has a great holiday parade, but my kids both have hockey tournaments next weekend so we’ll miss it this year. That’s okay. We’ve been to it lots and they are getting older and don’t seem to mind!
Dear Katy,
Thanks for stopping by The Zoo.
Times change. The “holiday train” was this weekend and it was cold out so we missed it this year. The Kids didn’t seem to mind at all and my feet appreciated it (it was cold out).
Besos Sarah.
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That sounds like a great time! How wonderful for the kids to donate their money to the Salvation Army! That is HUGE for little ones to do 🙂
Dear Soozle,
Friends, candy, sunshine and giving to others, we couldn’t have asked for a better time.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…The Earlier You Invest in Your Child’s RESP, The Better Off They’ll Be!