You might not want to admit it, but it's almost time to get out your winter boots and wooly hats, as the cold weather is setting in.
The good news is that with the approach of winter comes the Sudbury Santa Claus Parade, being held this year Nov. 21.
“I think because we've had such a nice fall, it's hard to think that the parade is literally just around the corner,” said Downtown Sudbury executive director Maureen Luoma, one of the event's organizers.
The 2015 parade has a Storybook Christmas theme.
“Sometimes people don't know even what to do (with their float), so we try to come up with some kind of a Christmas theme,” said Luoma at an Oct. 21 press conference where details of the parade were revealed.
“So this year is Storybook Christmas. There's a lot of different Christmas stories you can pick and not have every float look the same.”
Keeping with the theme, the grand marshals will be Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The musical grand marshals will be Sudbury band Tim Tam Slam Band, who will entertain the crowds with Christmas tunes.
The deadline for parade entries is Nov. 6. If you don't want to end up on Santa's naughty list, entries must be decorated for Christmas or include seasonal music.
Last year's parade had 76 entries, up from about 60 in previous years. “Every year the quality of the entries gets better and better,” Luoma said.
Parade day begins with the Santa Watch Party — which includes live entertainment and children's activities — starting at 2 p.m. on Larch Street.
The parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Notre Dame Avenue, and winds its way through the downtown, ending on Elgin Street at Ste. Anne Road (Luoma said she's been assured construction will be done at that corner by then).
Immediately after the parade wraps up, there will be fireworks behind the Laurentian University School of Architecture. Eastlink will be televising the parade live, with commentary by Terry and Mell of Q92.
Learn more about the parade at www.sudburysantaclausparade.com.
