Sarnia Santa Claus Parade 2023 Blackburn Media photo by Melanie Irwin.Sarnia Santa Claus Parade 2023 Blackburn Media photo by Melanie Irwin.
Sarnia

Sarnia Kinsmen Santa Claus parade returns for 43rd year

A popular Sarnia holiday tradition, that extends back over four decades, is returning to the city's downtown.

The 43rd annual Sarnia Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade will take place December 7, with the theme "Christmas is for everyone." It will be broadcast on YourTV.

Parade marshalling will start at 2:30 p.m. at the Sarnia Golf and Curling Club, and the Ministry of Transportation has granted use of the Christina Street Highway 402 overpass again this year.

Organizers were told they couldn't use it in 2023 due to "safety reasons."

The big event starts at 6 p.m. from Exmouth and Christina Streets and wraps up at Wellington and Christina.

Thousands of residents typically line the streets along the parade route.

About 60 commercial and community-based floats took part last year, and the Kinsmen Club's Henry Korstange anticipates there will be even more this time around.

He said three marching bands will be featured, two from the United States, and one from Sarnia's own Air Cadets.

"There's still a limitation on getting bands with the costs involved," said Korstange. "One of our bands is going to cost over $6,000 in transportation so we're limiting the number of bands."

Korstange said Enbridge is the presenting sponsor once again.

"The parade costs approximately $18,000 which is raised by the Sarnia Kinsmen through the generous support from Enbridge, our toll booth at the Smart Centre, commercial parade entries, businesses and the public," he said. "In 2023 we had a program, which we're continuing this year, called Remember the Food Banks. We raised $22,500 in cash for the five food banks last year. Over $40,000 was raised for the whole Christmas parade program. Some of this money came from RibFest."

A bus from Sarnia Christian School will be collecting cash and food donations along the route.

They brought in 900 pounds of food last year.

Imperial Oil firetrucks will be handing out candy as well.

Parades will also take place Saturday at 2 p.m. in Petrolia, and at 6:30 p.m. in Thedford.

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