SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Four weeks to Christmas and the local parades are in full swing. Attending the one in Richmond Hill last Sunday saw the big guy arriving to cheers and waves of the crowd.

Mrs. Claus decided to come with him too. He was headed to the local Mall where he will receive the children and any adults that will let him know what they want for Christmas. Yes, 4 weeks to the big day! How are your Christmas plans going? Are you having your own parade in your community? Do you have a local toy drive?

THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE

In every corner in this country, cities and towns have their own version of the Santa Claus Parade. Sometimes the word Christmas is used, go figure it's about Christmas. Sometimes to be culturally sensitive it is the Holiday parade. But really for the children it is about Santa. Our parade occurred today in Richmond Hill, there was another one in Vaughan. The Toronto Santa Claus parade is next Sunday. It used to be called the Eaton's Christmas Santa Claus parade for years-it was the one I attended as a little girl in Toronto. Years ago it became too costly so other funding was found and continues to be a Toronto tradition. Back to our little local parade. Politicians ride in open vehicles. Floats are quite hand done, not too sophisticated.Many activities are represented such as local business, charity organizations, schools, Guides and Brownies, Baton Club. The local High School played on a float- a little out of key as High School bands tend to be. The Local Police has a good Bag Pipe Band-kilts and all. The Salvation Army Band is another regular participant. Different groups will give out a flyer and the children receive lots of candy canes. Our local hospital had a float this year and I took lots of pictures for the gang- well it is where I work. There was some rain but not too cold. Do you attend your local parade? Do you even like parades? Have you ever been in a parade? Isn't it about a little girl with innocence waving at her favourite person- Santa Claus?