Let the Christmas countdown commence!
In 17 days, the 31st annual Thorold Santa Claus Parade will spread yuletide joy all through town — and it's looking like the parade will be bigger and better than ever.
“We’re on great track with our Santa Claus Parade this year,” said the city’s Acting Manager of Community Services, Dave Baldoni, during yesterday's meeting of the Community Events Advisory Committee. “We’ve surpassed the 40 mark for attendees this year. I can confirm we are at 45 right now.”
The attendees will march through the Thorold streets on different floats. Leading the parade will be the city’s town crier Tony Vandermaas.
“We’ve secured a convertible Lexus for the town crier to kick off the parade again,” Baldoni said. “He’ll be cruising in style.”
There will also be food vendors at the event.
“We have three food trucks secured,” said Baldoni. “Those are going to be at the Prince of Wales school. We’re going to have a sort of central kind of location where there’s going to be some photo opportunities. There will be some backdrops and some props that people can take photos with.”
Starting next week, the city will advertise the event on local radio stations.
“The Mayor is going to make a pre-recorded statement that will go out on broadcast,” Baldoni said. “It’s going to be broadcast a couple of times a day leading up to the parade.”
The last thing on the city's checklist is making the Thorold streets Christmas ready.
“Right after the Remembrance Day ceremonies we’ll be putting up the street banners and Christmas lights downtown,” Baldoni said. “That’s all scheduled and ready to go.”
Now all that residents have to do is pick out a festive outfit. The Thorold Santa Claus Parade will take place Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
