THUNDER BAY – After being cancelled for the past two years, the Rotary Santa Claus Parade is back.
The popular event, which annually draws up to 20,000 people lined along the Memorial Avenue parade route, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, marking the first time the parade has been held since 2019.
It feels great to be back, said parade co-chair Dawn Sebesta.
“It’s very exciting. We were disappointed last year when we had to cancel the parade because we didn’t have enough time to get organized,” she said.
“We made a pledge that this year we would start earlier so we would be able to get all the planning done. Everybody we talk to is pretty excited to have it coming back. It’s been since 2019, and I know people were disappointed the last couple of years we weren’t able to have it.”
The lack of certainty surrounding COVID-19 restrictions and what might be in place at the time of the parade was the biggest obstacle last year. But those restrictions are gone at this point in time.
Put on by Fort William Rotary, Port Arthur Rotary, Lakehead Rotary and Thunder Bay Rotary, and sponsored this year for the first time by Gore Motors Honda, the annual Santa Claus Parade has long marked the start of the holiday season in Thunder Bay.
“It’s truly a feel-good day for all, with children and their families lining the parade route early in the morning to get the best spot to see the 50-plus floats – and of course, Santa," Sebesta said.
Jolly Old Saint Nick is always the hit of the event, but Sebesta said there's plenty of room for other parade participants and floats.
The more the merrier, she said.
Residents can sign up and find more information at the Rotary club's website.
"All the information about this year is there," Sebesta said. "The application is all online. They have to fill it out. We just want to encourage as many businesses in Thunder Bay to put an [entry] in."
“These kids haven’t had something like this since 2019.”
The parade will start at the Real Canadian Superstore and proceed up Memorial, ending at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.
Once the floats go by, the public is invited to the Auditorium for some additional holiday fun.
“There will be hot cocoa and coffee for people to come in and warm up a bit if they want, and for the kids to see Santa Claus.”
