BY NICOLE NEMETH
Santa Claus will be coming to Cambridge early, and he intends to bring peace, joy and happiness along with him.
The Cambridge Santa Claus Parade will be held on Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. It will follow the same route as last year, starting at the intersection of Hespeler and Dunbar roads and ending at the intersection of Hespeler Road and Langs Drive.
Organizers are striving for a 90-minute event.
The evening parade allows the groups to prepare floats full of colour, light and sound. Prizes are awarded in different categories to encourage creativity.
Now in its 42nd year, Cambridge Santa Claus Parade organizers are expecting to entertain approximately 50,000 people lined up along Hespeler Road. There will be around 85 groups and 14 bands involved.
“Many others are from local businesses and the rest are community groups,” said Dave Howell, this year’s chief organizer for the parade. “The prep for the parade is going very well.”
Last year several entries were turned down because they registered late. This year organizers expanded their entry list to try and accommodate as many as possible. Registration and volunteer sign-up ended on Oct. 31. This year they expect to have about 100 entries and 75 volunteers to help with parade lineup and street security.
“We will also be featuring a new look for Santa’s float,” Howell said.
Once again Mrs. Claus will join Santa on a float. It says on the parade’s website, “For all the hard work Mrs. Claus does in helping Santa, we felt she should be here right beside Santa, greeting all the children with her Christmas wishes!” She has been a part of the parade for almost 10 years and will continue to be.
Just like previous years children are able to bring their letters for St. Nick. Canada Post will be walking the route with their bags for collection. The proper address to put on envelopes is Santa Claus, North Pole, HOH OHO, along with a return address.
Other upcoming events to celebrate the holiday season in Cambridge include Music and Lights in the Village, CPR Holiday Train, Candyland, Central Park Skating and Lights, Christmas in Cambridge Market, Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night and the Family New Year’s Eve Party.
To find dates and times visit cambridge.ca.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus Parade will take place on Saturday Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. and travel along King and Erb streets in Waterloo.
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