Santa's Parade of Lights

November 25, 2019 - During our parade last evening, there were a of couple floats that displayed fictional characters and scenes that some would view in poor taste. We are following up with the individual registrants responsible to the creation of the floats to discuss the public concern, and to present creative options that would have been more appropriate.

The parade organizers are a very small group of service club members and staff who volunteer their time to present a joyful holiday parade to residents and guests. Vetting parade float entries in real time (live) is not always easy however, we understand and feel your concern. We are doing our best to immediately address the matter and to make necessary corrections for the future.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Take part in one of Southern Ontario's best Santa Claus parades. This parade will take place in the evening, and floats are to be to illuminated and decorated as best as possible. 

How can we direct you?

Parade hours
Register a Float & Parade Rules
Find out the Float Order

Parade Hours

4:00-4:45pm
Set up for floats begin. Floats are to find their number posted on a stick on the side of Lakeside Drive and will be pointed westerly. Marshals will be there to assist you.

4:15-4:45pm
Caroling at City Hall, with free refreshments served by the Kinsmen and Tim Hortons. 

4:45pm
Floats make their way from the Allman Arena to City Hall.

5:00pm
First float arrives at corner of Ontario Street and Downie Street, turning the corner toward City Hall.

6:15pm
Santa and his reindeer will arrive as the final float in the parade.

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Register a Float

We will accept a maximum of 50 floats. Registration will open October 18, 2019 and close on November 20, 2019, afterwhich no further entries will be accepted.

Rules for Floats

1. Please get your entry in on time.
2. Lakeside Drive will become a one-way (westerly) street around 3:00pm the day of the parade.
3. A week prior to the event, organizers will post your float location. Please check this website daily up until the event day for any changes to your place in the the parade order.
4. At 4:00pm, set up for floats will begin. Drivers are to find their number posted on a stick on the side of Lakeside Drive and will be pointed westerly. Marshals will be there to assist.
5. The front of the parade will start moving at 4:45pm, up Morenz Drive, right onto to Ontario Street, left onto Downie Street, past City Hall, and ending shortly thereafter.
6. Santa Claus should not be riding on any float except the final Santa float.
7. AT NO TIME should items be cast or thrown onto the street. Doing this creates a very dangerous situation for the crowd, and could result in serious injury to the public. Should floats wish to hand out items (i.e.: candy), they do so at their own personal risk and the item must be handed directly "hand-to-hand". 
8. This parade may be broadcast on various medium, and parade float entries may be interviewed.
9. When the parade ends at City Hall, there will be different streets to disperse our floats. Drivers of floats will be advised of their dispersal street when marshalling prior to the parade.

Float Registration Payment (2019)

To assist the parade organizers in recovering some costs from its expenses, an entry fee will be collected. Payment methods are by cash of cheque.

•     Charitable/Community Group - $45.00
•     Corporate/Commercial - $100.00

How to Register a Float

1. The only means to register a float is through our online portal. You will be asked to create a new account if you don't have one already created.  
2. Floats in the parade will not be confirmed until payment is received.
3. Check back to this website a week before the parade to see where your float fits in the parade float order.

Register Now

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Float Order

Setup for float and bands start at 4:00pm. The front of the parade will start moving at 4:45pm, up Morenz Drive to Ontario Street, left on Downie, past City Hall, and ending shortly thereafter.

1. Float registrants are to access their marshalling positions via Romeo Street heading westerly to Delaware Avenue, Delaware Avenue to Martin Street, Martin Street into the Avon River system/Lakeside Drive heading westerly.
2. Floats are to line up along Lakeside Drive starting at Morenz Drive (Float #1), heading easterly to Queen Street.
3. Bands are to line up on Lakeside Drive between Waterloo Street and Morenz Drive. This area of Lakeside Drive is out front of the Tom Patterson Theatre, currently under construction. Bands will be inserted into the parade as it moves from the Allman Arena up Morenz Drive to Ontario Street.

4. Important Note for Allman Arena Parking Lot: As hockey games are scheduled throughout the day at the Allman Arena, North Street will remain open to allow access for hockey patrons only (not parade floats). Parade floats should not enter or park in the Allman Arena parking lot. 

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