Thousands turn out for glimpse of Santa (23 photos)

Four-year-old Mason Dilella was waiting for just one man during this year's Greater Sudbury Santa Claus Parade — the jolly old elf himself.

Despite his tender years, though, Mason said he realizes the parade Santa isn't the real one.

“It's just a pretend Santa, because the real Santa is at the North Pole now,” he said. “He used to be at the mall, but now he's at the North Pole.”

Mason's dad, Dillon Dilella, said it's fun to see the experience through his son's eyes. “He's four years old,” he said. “We know he's going to enjoy the parade.”

The Nov. 22 parade featured many retro and futuristic floats in keeping with the “Christmas Past or Future” theme.

Given the popularity of the 2013 Disney flick “Frozen,” it isn't surprising the parade also featured several Elsas, Annas and Olafs.

The event was capped off by a 15-minute-long fireworks display near the Laurentian University School of Architecture.

Nine-year-old Petra Eggert and 10-year-old Evie Tomlin had definite opinions about their favourite parts of the parade.

“I have a particular one that I like — the one with all the people in the hot tubs,” Eggert said.

Tolin said she likes seeing the roller derby girls skate along the parade route, as well as the people who give out free candy canes.

Micheal Serafini attended the event with several family members, including his two-year-old son, Nathan.

“This is his first year he's old enough to go and see Santa Claus, and he'll enjoy all the floats and candy,” Serafini said, adding that the parade “brings the community together.”

Awards for the best parade entries will be handed out Dec. 2. For more information, visit www.sudburysantaclausparade.com.