Santa Claus is coming to town

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Saturday night’s Santa Claus parade is traditionally looked at as the start of the Christmas season in Tillsonburg.

Starting Saturday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m., this marks the third year of a night parade. The switch from a daytime parade to a nighttime event has been a success, with 93 parade entries last year and more than 8,000 people estimated to have viewed the parade.

“Last year was astronomical, it blew the top off anything the parade has done in the past,” said Tillsonburg and Area Optimist Club President Michelle Wegg. “We are looking forward to providing the same level of entertainment and Christmas joy we have provided in past years.”

She had accolades for last year’s parade co-chairs, Lindsay Munroe and Holly Vallee, but said they had to take a step back from running the parade this year. Wegg and Catherine White are co-chairs of the event this year.

The parade route will be the same as last year, passing by Maple Manor, Tillsonburg Retirement Residence, near Woodingford Lodge and the hospital.

Wegg said the parade will see the return of crowd favourites, such as the Tomato Soup Band, Tim Hortons, Kinsmen and Kinettes, and the Shriners. Local businesses, service clubs, and churches will also have entries. Stilt walker Doug Hunt will again be at the parade.

Local rising country singer Olivia Mae Graham will return, this time with the excitement of the release of her first album.

“There’s something truly special about being home for the holidays, and the Tillsonburg Parade is one of my favourite traditions,” Graham said. “It always reminds me why I love this community so much.”

She and her elves will have candy canes with QR codes for a giveaway. Graham will also be hyping her album release party on Dec. 7 at the Hungarian Hall.

The parade will also feature many collections that have helped the community in the past. These include firefighters collecting non-perishables for the Helping Hand Food Bank, Canada Post collecting letters for Santa, Nature’s Choice Lawn Care & Irrigation collecting items for the Salvation Army, Kinettes and Kinsmen collecting hats and mittens for the Salvation Army, and Stauffer Motors Limited collecting for the Salvation Army Toy Drive.

Entrants are encouraged to register ahead of time. The registration link can be found on the Tillsonburg and Area Optimist Club Facebook page, or send an email to tillsonburgoptimistclub@gmail.com to get the link.

Lighting up the hospital

In conjunction with the parade, Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital Foundation is launching its Angels of Giving – Light the Hospital event. People are invited to watch the parade from the hospital and enjoy hot chocolate and goodies from Chrissy’s Catering from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Lindsay Tribble, foundation development assistant, explains, “The lighting of the hospital this year is a new addition to our usual year-end Angels of Giving Campaign. This year we will light up the hospital and wreaths in memory, or in honour of loved ones and friends, for our entire community to enjoy. When the Christmas parade approaches its turn onto Bridge Street from Bidwell heading towards Rolph Street, we will begin the countdown to shine the light on the hospital.”

The event will also feature unveiling of the updated donor wall and the launch of the Angels of Giving campaign.

Letters to Santa

Tillsonburg Town Centre and the Tillsonburg BIA will host an event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on parade day, allowing youth to write letters to Santa. Paper, stickers and markers will be provided to create letters. The intent is the letters can be handed to Canada Post workers during the parade.

The event will take place in The Spot on the second floor of the mall.