The man in red made an early stop in Barrie on Saturday night for the city’s 74th annual Santa Claus parade.
Revellers were lined up along Lakeshore Drive and Dunlop Street East in the city’s downtown in the thousands to take in this year’s event, which took 60 floats — all draped in festive decor and bright lights — along a new route for the first time, said Barrie Chamber of Commerce executive director Paul Markle after the festivities.
“Sixty floats is up from last year, so it was a long parade,” he said. “It’s very validating to see the crowds. It’s a very special event for the city to kick off the holiday season. Nothing says Christmas like a Santa Claus parade, and I think the Barrie community is always looking for ways to celebrate together.”
Markle, who helped marshal the parade, said just from driving the route this year and last, it was quite obvious that the number of people that came out to watch was significantly higher.
“Everyone was happy and they were all very respectful. It was a safer parade from our perspective … We have some things we need to work on but I think the route worked really well. We got lots of positive comments about Lakeshore Drive being really well lit versus Dunlop so they were able to see more,” he said, adding he could also see kids playing in the parks nearby as they waited for the parade to kick off.
Sandra Martel and Derek James brought their young daughters Elena and Audrey to downtown Barrie Saturday night and said it was their first time attending the popular event.
“It was great. They’d never been to a real one. Normally they are part of one in Lyle, so they never get to see it.,” said Martel
Having an opportunity to share this with their girls was a great experience, added James, who said the atmosphere of the whole evening was great, and they even met some pretty great people.
Drew Piper has made the parade a family affair since her son Bryson was a baby. Now 11, mother and son were joined by Hannah, who said she was most excited to see Santa in his sleigh.
“We come every year. It’s our favourite way to start the holidays,” said Piper. “We like how it’s at night so there are lights on the floats and there is a lot of music so it's fun. There are fireworks, the concert and the tree lighting after as well,” she said.
“I am excited to see Santa and all of the other floats with the bright lights,” added Bryson.
Megan Jordan brought her nine-month old son Leo for his first ever parade, and said she was excited to experience it with her little guy.
“We come every year. We have lived here all of our lives. It’s exciting and we love all the floats … and we love Santa Claus,” said Jordan.
Victoria Mendolia moved to Barrie from Toronto in July, said she and her four-year-old really enjoyed taking in the parade for the first time.
“We were very excited to see Santa and all of the lights. It was great to see the variety compared to Toronto and Aurora,” she said, adding it was also the first evening parade she’s ever attended. “I think it’s a lot better because the lights are (better). It feels like there’s a more cinematic experience.”
Rechelle Gerhardt and her one-year-old daughter Emily came up to the city from Brantford to spend time with Mendolia, a friend of nearly 15 years, and to enjoy the parade.
“It was amazing. I love the small town feel of Barrie. I loved it and I enjoyed it. Santa was so real looking. Every image of Santa as a kid … he just looked so real! It would have fooled me!”
Markle said volunteers will take a few days off to recover and debrief, but it won’t be long before they are all back at work to plan next year’s parade.
“The goal is always to make the next year’s parade better, safer and we will start talking about what the theme is going to be next year,” he said. “I am really proud of all of the partners in it. The BIA did a great job with the tree lighting and the band seemed to be rocking. Fireworks were amazing from the city and the Festival of Trees (by) the Rotary Club of Barrie - nobody lights up a waterfront like them.”
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