The 108th Santa Claus Parade schedule this Sunday

Famous parade ends in front of St. Lawrence Market — Starts at Bloor & Christie, along Bloor to University, travel down University to Wellington and end at the intersection of Front and Jarvis streets

By Bulletin Staff –

Santa parade

The Santa Claus Parade is celebrating its 108th year and is sure to inspire even more priceless memories. Santa Claus himself announced this year’s magical Parade details, including amazing new floats, interactive fun and an opportunity to be one of Santa’s Special Helpers, to help ring in the holiday season.

The Parade will take place on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at 12:30 p.m., when excited children and fans of all ages will line the streets of Toronto to celebrate the holiday season and experience the magic of Santa Claus.

The floats in this year’s Santa Claus Parade are sure to inspire the crowds with new incredible sights and touches of Parade history. Two iconic Canadian brands, the Santa Claus Parade and the Grey Cup, are joining forces this year, with the real Grey Cup making an appearance along the route.

“It’s always our goal to make the Parade more spectacular each year while honouring our connections to this great city,” said Alf Iannarelli, Santa Claus Parade General Manager and Creative Director. “We have created some wonderful new floats for the crowds to enjoy and we know that Santa’s float will truly dazzle!”

“I always love seeing the warm smiling faces as I pass through the streets of Toronto spreading holiday cheer,” said Santa Claus, who was in town for today’s special preview. “The Parade celebrates the season and brings joy to everyone who is a part of it, from spectators to volunteers, and that’s what the holidays are all about!”

For the first time ever, Santa Claus is giving kids of all ages a chance to become one of his Special Helpers for the Parade by contributing to the creation of some Parade magic. Lovers of the cherished tradition are invited to make a Parade donation to help personalize their connection to the Santa Claus Parade. In turn, Santa’s Special Helpers will receive a lasting memory of their support of this Toronto tradition, including the opportunity to have their name displayed on a special float.

“Extensive research commissioned by the Parade revealed that 90% of Ontarians believe that The Santa Claus Parade signals the start of the Christmas season,” said Peter Beresford, Santa Claus Parade President. “The Santa Claus Parade is one of the most cherished holiday traditions and continues to excite and inspire fans every year.”

The Santa Claus Parade will travel the same route this year, beginning at Bloor & Christie, along Bloor to University, travelling down University to Wellington and ending at the intersection of Front and Jarvis Streets at the St. Lawrence Market.

The Santa Claus Parade is the largest children’s parade in North America and largest outdoor entertainment event held in Canada every year. More information on the parade, including even more exciting Parade details, can be found at www.thesantaclausparade.com.
FUN FACTS
• For the first time ever, kids of all ages will have chance to contribute directly to creating some Santa Claus Parade magic in return for new priceless Parade memories, including their names being featured on a float.

• Mrs. Claus made her very first appearance in the Santa Claus Parade last year, with her own float leading the way for Santa.

• The Parade has revived an Eaton’s Santa Claus Parade colouring book from 1952 that is available online for download. For the first time ever, four lucky kids aged 8-10 will win a spot on Mrs. Claus’ float! Parents are encouraged to help their kids enter to win online.

• Santa Claus’ float is again equipped with a Santa Cam to capture the crowd as parade-goers watch Santa make his way through the streets of Toronto. Souvenir snapshots will be posted on the Santa Claus Parade website and available for print.

• The Parade has expanded the Red Nose Drive this year! Red Noses will be for sale at 30 Canadian Tire stores across the GTA, starting November 1st in support of their Jumpstart program.
Air Cadets will be selling noses on Parade day along the route and at all Parade route subway station exits in support of the Air Cadets Squadron #108.

• Celebrity Clowns are business professionals from within the community who dress as clowns and march in Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade. This year, the Santa Claus Parade is celebrating the celebrity clown’s 29th anniversary in the parade.

• Over 3,000 individuals volunteer their time to make the
Santa Claus Parade a magical event every year.

• Toys for the North continues to be a successful initiative bringing holiday joy to many children. Last year, the RCMP and Air North helped deliver over $100,000 worth of toys to remote communities in the Yukon and Northwest Territories on behalf of Torontonians and donations from the Canadian Toy Association for the Santa Claus Parade initiative Toys for the North.

Santa Claus Parade History

1905 Santa made his first official visit to Toronto on Sunday, December 2nd, thanks to the sponsorship of T. Eaton Co. The original parade was a “one man show” with Santa as the only attraction. Santa arrived in the city by rail, transferred into a special automobile and rode through the downtown streets, handing out souvenirs and surprise packages to the community along the way.

1906 Making a grand entrance, Santa arrived at the parade in a carriage drawn by four white horses.

1923 Santa drove down Yonge Street in a sled pulled by eight live reindeer brought in from Labrador, Nfld. Children along the route started to join in the march, periodically stopping to gather together and sing with a band.

1927 The parade expanded to include seven floats leading the way for Santa. Over the years, many floats came to be identified with popular nursery rhymes and fairy tales.

1953 Santa “came to town” on a more conventional style of mechanized float, featuring a sleigh led by eight white mechanical reindeer. This has been his trademark for the Santa Claus Parade ever since.

1982 T. Eaton Co. had to withdraw from the Parade sponsorship and 20 corporations joined together as sponsors to help continue the highly anticipated and cherished annual event.

1995 The Santa Claus Parade became the world’s largest Christmas parade and the longest running children’s parade in the world.

2011 Mrs. Claus joined Santa in the Parade for the first
time.

2012 This year, the tradition continues with the Santa
Claus Parade celebrating its 108th anniversary.