The jolly old big guy is coming to town Nov. 18.
He will take part in the annual Downtown Chatham Santa Claus parade.
The theme of this year’s parade is “All I want for Christmas is … Peace, Kindness, Tolerance and Understanding.”
Parade Chair Cari Passien said this year’s theme is particularly relevant in these turbulent times around the world.
“These are words to live by, every human being deserves to feel they matter in this world,” she said in a media release.
This year’s parade will have some new features, as well as some past favorites. The Port Huron Marching Band will be returning this year to entertain the crowds with their Christmas tunes, as well as the Branch 28 Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band.
Prior to the parade, which starts at 6 p.m., there will be a live show by The Fire Guy on the King Street Commons as well as Food Vendors selling cotton candy and popcorn during the parade.
The parade will assemble in the back parking lot of Ursuline College and proceed from Sandy Street over the Lacroix Street Bridge and onto King Street West through the downtown core, ending at the WISH Centre.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be greeting children at the Wish Centre after the parade and there will be light refreshments available.
The 2016 Downtown Chatham Santa Claus Parade is sponsored by Engie Renewable Wind Energy, The DCC, and The Downtown Chatham BIA.
Lynn O’Brien, General Manager of The Downtown Chatham Centre has announced that this will be the DCC’s last year as the organizer of the Santa Claus Parade.
“There is a lot of preparation and time that goes into organizing a community parade like this, and though we are proud to do so, we are hoping another organization will step up for 2017 to co-ordinate or share the organizing with us,” she said in a release. “The sponsors are incredible and the parade day volunteers are exceptional.”
