Despite online rumours, Tilbury's Santa Claus parade is not being postponed because of rainy weather.
"The only thing that would postpone the parade tonight is a torrential downpour," Gerry Harvieux, the parade's coordinator, tells BlackburnNews.com.
He hopes the rain today doesn't stop people from coming out to enjoy the parade with festivities begging at 6pm.
"There's nothing wrong with being prepared with an umbrella or a rain jacket. There's not much you can do about it [the weather]," says Harvieux.
The parade begins in front of the high school on Queen St. at 7pm moving north and has some new additions including company for Santa.
"Two kids won the opportunity to ride with Santa in his sleigh during the parade. They're quite excited about that. All the kids can meet with Santa after at the Tilbury Fire Hall. That's always very well attended."
The two winners are 8-year-old Jamie Lynn Drew and 7-year-old Colin Rossignoi.
Harvieux says the parade can last for close to an hour. He says there will be people roasting smores as well as cooking up chili and hot chocolate. There will also be choirs performing at opposite ends of the street during the parade. Santa will also light the Christmas Tree at 8pm for the first time as part of the Tilbury event.
Harvieux feels those who brave the poor weather will enjoy a quality parade.
"It's a whole lot of fun," says Harvieux. "The big thing is that the people who put the floats in really put a lot of effort and a lot of thought into what they're doing. It's just an amazing parade."
Harvieux adds parade-goers can bring new toys with them tonight as Bluewater Pools and the Tilbury Area Action Team are teaming up to collect donations for children in hospital.
