Plans for Santa Claus Parade unveiled
October 15, 2009
By LARA BRADLEY, THE SUDBURY STAR
Although turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving are still in Sudbury refrigerators, plans are already in full swing for the Greater Sudbury Santa Claus Parade.
"It's a month from today (on Nov. 14)," said Maureen Luoma, publicity liaison, at a press conference Wednesday.
While the route will remain the same as last year, sticking to the downtown core, new this year is a move by the organizing committee to clamp down on costuming.
"All entries must be decorated," she said.
In the past, some business owners would show up with their trucks inscribed with the company's name, but no other parade decor. This year, all entries have to somehow convey the 2009 parade theme of "Happy Holiday ... Joyeuses Fetes.
Coming up with a theme was surprisingly hard. One year the committee went with "Twas the Night Before Christmas" -- which sounded fairly broad. However, most entries that year featured a person on a rocking chair by a fireplace, said Luoma.
This year the parade will have three honourary chairs who will also be on the judging panel for the floats -- Melaney Dahl and Terry Callaghan, from Q92, and Stephane Paquette, from Le Loup Radio. For the ninth year in a row, the parade is also schedule to take place at night.
"I think the best move the city did was move the parade to nights," said Callaghan. "I still think people get a rush out of that." About 1,500 typically take part in the parade and are in turn watched by about 30,000 lining the city's downtown sidewalks.
Entries usually range from about 57 to 65. People are encouraged to register.
Maureen Luoma and honorary chair Terry Callaghan get into the Christmas spirit one month before the Greater Sudbury Santa Claus Parade. Left, the parade route is the same as last year.
by Nov. 1, however, organizers have taken last-minute entries up until hours before the start of the parade.
To register, go online to www.sudburysantaclausparade.com.
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Santa Claus Parade
When:Nov. 14, 5:30 p. m.;
Santa Watch Party:2-5:30 p. m.,
Market Square;
To register: www.sudburysantaclausparade.com