Brandon Santa Parade delights big crowds
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/11/2023 (864 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Hundreds of Brandon residents, both young and old, enjoyed some pleasant winter weather on Saturday evening when they gathered in the festive spirit during the annual Brandon Santa Parade.
The vibrant event, which ran along Rosser Avenue to 17th Street, Princess Avenue, Sixth Street, and back to Rosser Avenue, saw enthusiastic spectators lining the streets, eagerly anticipating the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.
The parade boasted a diverse procession, featuring Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett and city staff, BNRC employees, Heritage Co-op’s Business-to-Business Operations Manager Barry Cooper, Brandon Pride Chairperson Aly Wowchuk, and employees of Canada Post, among other participants, all contributing to the festive ambiance.
Before the merry couple’s appearance, dedicated residents had already stationed themselves along the parade route, armed with blankets and warm attire, ready to embrace the chilly evening. Their commitment was matched by the sheer excitement radiating from the children, eagerly awaiting the magical moment when Santa and Mrs. Claus would grace the streets, showering holiday greetings and warm smiles upon the crowd.
Mrs. Claus shared her joy.
“We have been doing this for about seven years for me. And I think five years for Santa… visiting Brandon,” she told the Sun. “It’s fabulous, great and we love it. It’s amazing to see all the kids so excited for Christmas and to see Santa. And it just makes it so worthwhile.”
Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, visibly elated by the overwhelming turnout, remarked, “I am so excited with the great number of people that came out for the parade. I wish everyone Merry Christmas.”
Reflecting on the parade’s success, Brandon Santa Parade co-chair Karlheinz Sawatzky-Dyck expressed his joy at the overwhelming participation.
“The turnout was unbelievable. I think there’s more and more floats every year,” he told the Sun. “We had 48 floats altogether and people decorated this year. The audience and everybody were having fun. It was crazy.”
“We had some awesome floats. About a quarter of the floats are brand new. They’ve never tried it before and they had fun,” Sawatzky-Dyck told the Sun. “What happens is that they go back to work on Monday and tell everybody else, requesting for such an event to be done every year.”
Despite the frosty weather, the co-chair said, “The warmth of community spirit and holiday cheer prevailed, marking yet another successful and joyous celebration at the Brandon Santa Parade, a cherished tradition that unites the city in anticipation of the festive season.”
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