Timmins Santa Claus Parade returns
It is not quite Christmas yet, but it’s beginning to look a lot like it in Timmins, both with the weather and the abundance of holiday spirit. Residents kicked-off the festive season Saturday evening, with thousands gathering in the downtown for the city’s 2022 Santa Claus Parade.
About 55 festive floats with over a thousand volunteers and parade participants showed-off their creative designs while handing out candy to spectators and gathering donations for a local food bank.
Organizers said they estimate about 15,000 people flocked downtown, which was radiating holiday music and glowing with the lights of the floats.
“It’s important to know that we’re involved in the community and just get out there, spread that cheer and have fun!” said Mckenzie Walker with the Cochrane-Temiskaming Children’s Treatment Centre.
This year’s parade had a variety of diverse entries such as live animals, high schools, corporate entries, service clubs, cadet groups, dance schools and non-profit organizations.
Attendees told CTV News that the presentation was amazing and it was great to see the crowds return following the loosening of pandemic restrictions.
The entries aimed to put their best festive foot forward and get people excited for the upcoming holiday season.
“It’s fun to be in the Christmas parade! At least we can showcase what we know about decorating a float and we have fun doing it!” said Estela Chow with the Filipino Association in Timmins.
Chow was not alone in the sentiment that the parade was a lot of fun, Maycee Vierimaa, a student at O’Gorman High School also expressed her excitement in being part of the event.
“I think it’s really fun to show our school spirit and make our school very known in our community, as someone who likes being part of the community.”
The holiday spirit also included the spirit of giving as the parade was also an opportunity for Socks Timmins and the South Porcupine Food Bank to collect donations of warm clothes, non-perishable food and cash, to ensure those in need can enjoy the season as well.
“We’re really hoping for a lot of donations. We’ve got a trailer to fill, we’ve a van to fill, we’ve got the Gold Kings (hockey team) to help us unload all the food tonight. So, we’re just hoping everybody’s very generous,” said the South Porcupine Food Bank’s president, Melissa Narduzzi.
Organizers said the evening celebrated a cherished Timmins tradition with no shortage of holiday spirit and thousands of smiles and cheers.
Downtown Timmins BIA also handed out a several awards for as part of the celebration.
Lady Luck Family Restaurant & Convenience Store won brightest float, most original float went to Timmins Tree Service and judges choice went to Timmins High & Vocational School.
A complete list of winners can be found on the parade’s Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.