Santa parade set for Saturday

Santa Claus is coming to town.

And there is a parade planned for Saturday to mark the man in red's arrival.

Yorkton's 16th Annual Santa Claus Parade will begin at 5:30 pm from the corner of Seventh Avenue South (corner of Ramada Hotel). It will proceed north; turn left (west) on Broadway St. proceeding west to Laurier Ave (corner of McDonalds, then turn left (south) on Laurier and will disburse on Independent Street. People are asked to move down Laurier to allow the entire parade to turn the corner off of Broadway. Those returning to Seventh Ave may do so using Melville Ave. to King Street.

Filled with colourful, festive floats, Christmas decor and cheer, and of course the man-of-the-hour Santa, the parade will again be a popular kick-off to the holiday season in the city.

Penny Sandercock, one of the parade's organizers said the parade was created as a way to kick-off the festive season.

"It is a way of sharing a festive season with the community; giving to those that may not be as fortunate -- small toys/free movies/hotdogs and hot chocolate -- and allowing the local businesses to use that day for Christmas promotions in retail outlets," she said, adding it has proven very popular.

The day is also the kick-off for the Christmas lights on Broadway and Santa's appearances at the Parkland Mall.

The parade is again the joint effort of Yorkton Exhibition Association, Yorkton Business Improvement District, City of Yorkton and Yorkton Chamber of Commerce who make sure Santa has a bag of goodies to hand out that day too.

And Yorkton Coop has again donated 3000 Candy Canes that will be handed out along the parade route by the volunteers.

Prior to the parade, slated to begin at 5:30 p.m., hot chocolate, hot dogs and carolling will be served up in the Western Financial City Park.

YBID will also be presenting a free movie for the children at the Tower Theatre during the afternoon.

Sandercock said the parade has become a seasonal favourite because of the joy it brings.

"I think the joyous atmosphere and the night parade is exciting for the children," she said. "A lot of children do not get to see Santa anywhere else especially if the Mall does not have appearances. Parents take the opportunity to make it a day or a weekend of Christmas shopping while children take in the free movie matinee.

For further details contact the Yorkton Exhibition office at 783-4800.