There’s only a 30 per cent chance of snow Sunday, but downtown Orillia will certainly be a flurry of activity.
A seasonal tradition will continue when the Santa Claus parade loops through the city’s core, starting at 1 p.m. This year’s theme is “family Christmas.”
Parade director Doug Bunker expects 80 to 90 “units” — which include floats and other participants — to take part in the parade. It will form up near Couchiching Beach Park and will head south on Front Street, west on Colborne Street and north on Dunlop Street before making its way back down Mississaga Street and to the park.
“It’s still a very large parade,” Bunker said, noting it’s been a popular attraction in Orillia for more than 100 years.
Spectators will have a chance to support a few causes, including the parade itself. As it has for about 40 years, the Kiwanis Club of Orillia’s Bucket Brigade will be collecting money along the route. Some of the club members believe there has been confusion among the crowd about where the money goes, and club president Fred Larsen wanted to ensure people all money collected goes toward the parade.
The club members will be recognizable in their Bucket Brigade shirts and big hats.
“Your generosity as we pass by (on) Sunday will be recognition of the great job the parade committee does each year — and your donations will go to making sure the parade will once again pass along the main streets of Orillia in November of 2019,” Larsen said.
It makes sense for the club to take part in the parade, he added.
“Our mandate is children and youth, and it’s a natural and easy commitment for the club to make,” he said.
The Bucket Brigade, which collects, on average, $2,400 to $3,000 every year, is the only group that has received permission to solicit cash donations during the parade, said Bunker, who is urging people not to donate money to anyone else along the route.
There are ways to support other causes, though. Simcoe County paramedics will be collecting items for their toy drive, while Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orillia and District will be filling a front-end loader with non-perishable food for The Sharing Place Food Bank.
Kids can bring their letters to Santa, too, which will be collected along the route.
While seeing so many smiling faces is a highlight for Bunker, “a lot of things go on in the background that make it special.”
Those moments include the delivery of food to The Sharing Place, the after-party for participants, and Santa’s post-parade kindness. While the parade goes by Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital, allowing patients, visitors and staff to view the spectacle from their windows, the big man in red takes it a step further. After completing the route, he goes to the hospital to meet with patients and hand out treats.
“That’s important because the parade’s for everyone,” Bunker said. “If you’re in the hospital, it’s nice to see the parade go by.”
He is inviting those who want to volunteer for Sunday’s event — including high-school students in need of volunteer hours — to call the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce at 705-326-4424.
The parade route will be closed to traffic starting at about 10:30 a.m.
