SUDBURY -- The organizers for Sudbury's annual Santa Claus Parade are changing things up a bit this year for reasons of safety and public enjoyment.

Santa and Mrs. Claus flew into Sudbury on Monday in preparation for the Saturday's parade that attracts over 25,000 spectators every year.

"We want people to enjoy themselves, but we also want them to be safe. We don’t want any situation where the memory from the parade is that someone got hurt or worse," said Santa.

In order to keep people safe, candy will be distributed ahead of the parade's start, instead of during the spectacle.

Rick Carr is the co-chair of this year's parade.

"At approximately 5:15, the bylaw department will be traveling on both directions of the parade route, at the starting and at the end, to distribute the candy to the children," said Carr.

Organizers and police are asking people not to park along the parade route and to take alternate routes around the downtown core from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday.

"We are going to shut the road right down, so you are not going to be able to get through in the downtown core. So, if you do go down there, you are going to be stuck there. If you park inside that area, you are not going to be able to get out, and if you park along the parade route, you will be tagged and towed after 4 p.m.," said Sergeant Tim Burtt, of the Greater Sudbury Police Service.

People are asked to watch the parade from the safety of the sidewalk.

"We will stop the parade until we can get the roadway clear, and then continue the parade. We don’t want anyone to get hurt," said Burtt.

This year’s honorary parade chair is CTV Northern Ontario’s Marina Moore. She will also be judging the floats.

"I have judged before, and I know the calibre of work that goes into these floats. They are so beautiful, they are so well done, so I know as a judge, I will have my work cut out for me this year," said Moore.

"Right now, touch wood, the weather is actually looking pretty good. Take advantage of the day and come on downtown," said Maureen Luoma, of Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Area.

A Santa watch party gets underway at 2 p.m. in the TD bank parking lot, on the corner of Elm and Durham.

Fireworks will kick off the parade beginning at 5:15 p.m.

The theme for the 2019 Santa Claus Parade in Sudbury is Super Heroes Christmas.

2019 Sudbury Santa Claus Parade Route

 

Sudbury police are offering the following tips to help people enjoy the parade in the safest way possible:

  • Arrive early- Arriving early allows you to find a safe spot for your family to enjoy the parade. If possible, station your family in a spot that makes it easy to leave the parade without getting caught in the exiting pedestrian and vehicle traffic.

  • Select a meeting spot- Ensure children know that they can go to the police or to a parade volunteer if they become lost. Ensure your family discusses a meeting spot in the event that you become separated during the parade.

  • Park safely- Do not park along the parade route. Vehicles parked along the parade route will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. Avoid parking within the parade route. You will not be able to leave until the parade has cleared. Finally, park your vehicle in a well-lit spot.

  • Stay on the sidewalk during the parade- Everyone wants to see the wonderful floats and especially Santa but your safety is paramount. We would ask that all attendees stay on the sidewalks and not enter the roadway or stand on center medians. Most importantly keep track of your children and know where they are at all times.

  • See something, say something- As with any public event, pay attention to your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to police

  • Dress for the weather- Be prepared for changing weather. The weather forecast for Saturday is clear with a temperature range between -7°C and -10°C.