This year's Santa Claus parade in downtown Sarnia will follow a different route due to ongoing construction projects and associated road closures.
The 44th annual Sarnia Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday, December 6, at 6 p.m.
Parade Marshal Henry Korstange said the parade is still expected to start from its usual location of Christina Street and Exmouth Street.
"We have not gotten 100 per cent confirmation from the city on what the parade route is going to be," he said. "Tentatively, it's going to be from Lite Street and Christina Street, down Christina Street to George Street, up George Street to Front Street, Front Street to Davis Street, and Davis Street out to Vidal Street and Brock Street."
*The City of Sarnia has since posted details to its website about the upcoming parade and the confirmed route.
Christina Street North, from Exmouth Street to Michigan Avenue, will be closed starting at 2 p.m. to allow for staging.
The parade route will take Christina Street south before heading west on George Street, south on Front Street, east on Davis Street, and will end at Vidal Street. A map can be found on the city's website.
Korstange said the route is "very" different from previous years, as the parade would usually go down Wellington Street to the former Royal SCITS Academy.
Rolling road and intersection closures will be in effect on the parade route starting at 5 p.m. The parade is expected to end by 8 p.m.*
As of November 20, approximately 40 floats had signed up to participate.
Although the online printout asks for applications to be filled out by November 21, Korstange said there's a bit more time for people to register.
"People who are still interested in entering the parade, there is still time to do so. They have until November 26," Korstange said.
This year's theme is "Christmas at home".
Similar to last year's showing, there will be a few marching bands.
"We're going to have two American bands, and there's going to be probably the Air Cadets, Sea Cadets, and the Army Cadets," he said. "It's still difficult to get bands outside the area."
Korstange said some bands did not pick up after the pandemic, and others are completely booked.
Non-perishable food donations and letters to Santa will be collected along the parade route.
Editor's Note: This story was edited on November 27 after the City of Sarnia confirmed the parade route. The asterisks signify where information was added after the publication date.
