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As sure a sign as any that the holiday season has arrived, London’s annual Santa Claus parade runs Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
WHEN (AND THE WEATHER)
Forget snowsuits and rain slickers (keep your fingers crossed): Saturday’s weather forecast from Environment Canada is calling for a sunny day, with a high of 11 C and a clear-skies night low of 2 C, which is about as perfect as things get at this time of year. With the parade an evening affair, however, you’ll still want to dress warmly for the night chill. The parade starts at 6 p.m. in east London and runs just shy of two hours before it wraps up on the western side of the downtown.
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THE PARADE ROUTE
The parade forms up at Dundas and Ontario streets and ends at Dundas and Ridout streets, travelling a three-kilometre route along Dundas through the downtown. Arrive early if you plan to stake out a prime viewing location, as many spectators do. Some even bring their own chairs, blankets and hot chocolate and make a bit of a party out of it.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Santa Claus, of course, lots of lights and, because this year’s parade is themed A Candy Christmas, expect an homage to candy canes, lollipops and gingerbread houses. The parade lineup includes about 40 floats following the candy theme. Firefighters and participants from community groups will distribute candy to kids. Four dancing groups and five bands will provide added “surprise,” said parade chairperson Shaun Merton. “Anything that’s related to Christmas in an intended form, you’re going to see it,” he said. Oh, Merton is also promising llamas – yes, those camel-like animals native to South America.
THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
Back again, in the spirit of giving, parade-goers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations for the London Food Bank. The donations will be rounded up using buggies along the parade route. More than 1,800 kilograms of food is expected to be collected, Merton said. People are also encouraged to bring teddy bears to be donated to kids. Organized by nine volunteers, and supported by area businesses, the parade also accepts donations to its Santa Hat fundraiser that helps to fund the annual event. The cost this year is expected to come in around $40,000, Merton said. “Get your favourite spot picked out. Bring your toonies, bring your teddy bears, bring your food and sit down and enjoy some great family entertainment,” he said.
DID YOU KNOW?
Retired postal workers collect children’s wish-list letters to Santa during the parade, which they send on to the North Pole. Helped by volunteers from the Thames Heritage Club, nearly 700 such letters were collected during a recent edition of the parade, according to its website.
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