Santa ready for return to traditional parade route: Organizers

Jolly old St. Nick will be riding through the streets of Sault Ste. Marie on a float for the first time since 2019 for this weekend's Rotary Santa Clause Parade.

David Marshall, the event's parade marshal, said last year's drive-by parade was a big hit. People could drive by with their families and still stay in their vehicles, put in place because of COVID restrictions at the time.

"It was overwhelming because it was too successful with so many people — but we did the best we could considering the circumstances," said Marshall.

That reverse parade was a compromise to avoid the total cancellation of the parade, like what happened in 2020. Marshall said this Saturday's event will hopefully bring a feeling of normalcy back to the season.

“We haven’t had the parade sine 2019, basically. We are looking forward to it and there is a lot of interest, with quite a few people wanting to see it," he said.

The parade will start at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Queen Street East and Church Street. It will continue along Queen until Gore Street.

That route through downtown has been the same for many years, said Marshall.

"We like to support the downtown," said Marshall. “We like to carry on with tradition, it makes it easier to work the mechanics of the parade."

About 40 float entries have been received so far and Marshall expects up to 10 more by the time Saturday comes along.

"We are very happy we have so many coming to Saturday’s parade, it’s good for the kids," he said.

As far as weather, Marshall said it looks like there might be some light snow in the forecast.

"That’s okay, it adds to the ambience of the parade — as long as it’s not a blizzard," he said.

November can be a tricky month for weather, said Marshall.

“We have had some parades with rain, some with snow and some that are just clear. I remember one year about eight years ago there was so much snow the kids were sitting on the snowbanks, which was kind of cool," he said.

As for the guest of honour, Marshall said he has already been in contact with the big guy in red.

“I know Santa is coming, he contacted me on the weekend and said he likes Sault Ste. Marie and is looking forward to coming back,” said Marshall.