For the first time since before the pandemic, two United States marching bands will participate in Sarnia's Santa Claus Parade on Saturday.
Sarnia Kinsmen Club Parade Chairman Henry Korstange tells Sarnia News Today the Port Huron Northern High School Band registered at the last minute and the Memphis High School Marching Band from Memphis, Michigan had already committed to coming.
"During COVID they couldn't cross the border and in our last couple of parades there were restrictions, so they couldn't come across," said Korstange. "They usually have between 125 to 150 band members participate and they put on a very colourful and musical display."
Korstange said the 44 Air Cadet Squadron Band is also participating.
This year, participants will line up near Centennial Park before the parade begins.
"We're marshalling [the floats] differently this year because we can't use the overpass anymore. So, we now marshal from London Road at Front Street to Exmouth and Front," he said.
Korstange said the Ministry of Transportation told them in 2022 it was the last year they would allow the parade to go over the Christina Street Highway 402 overpass.
"It's for safety reasons. If there's a major accident or incident on the 402 and also it's a danger to anybody if you have 500 to 600 people stuck on the bridge and something occurs, you could have a lot of problems," he said.
Korstange said they'll start to move from Front Street up to Christina and Exmouth Streets at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 6 p.m.
"That's where COGECO will be doing the TV broadcast. We ask people not to park on the streets from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. so people can watch the parade as opposed to people being parked in front of them," he said.
In total, the parade has over 60 entries, including dignitaries, floats and of course Santa Claus.
Letters to Santa Claus will be collected along the route by members of Canada Post.
Monetary and non-perishable food donations will also be collected and divided between four area food banks.
The jolly old elf will use his magic to also spread holiday cheer in Watford, Petrolia, Thedford and Alvinston on Saturday.
The theme for the Watford Santa Claus Parade is Watford 150. The route will travel east along Front Street, north along Nauvoo Road and east along Gold Street. It starts at 10 a.m.
Christmas on Film is the theme of Petrolia's parade. It rolls through downtown starting at 2 p.m. The Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department will be collecting cans for the Petrolia Food Bank along the route. Santa will be at the Petrolia YMCA on Tank Street after the parade for photos.
Thedford's theme is Retro Christmas. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. and follows the standard route. The Thedford Optimists are inviting everyone to the Village Complex, attached to the fire hall on Pearl Street, afterward. There will be a meet and greet with Santa, a live band, treat bags, hot chocolate and hot dogs.
In Alvinston, a parade float competition starts at 7 p.m. It is part of a full day of activities. More information can be found on the Alvinston and District Optimist Club Facebook Page.