NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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The Orillia Santa Claus Parade, presented by Eagle Landscaping & Norscape Landscape and Pond Depot, is Nov. 23, and the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce (ODCC) is issuing a call for volunteers.
The ODCC, a non-profit business advocacy association, organizes and facilitates the parade each year and relies on the generosity of sponsors to make the event possible. Sponsorships cover costs like policing, insurance, and bands. One of the benefits provided to sponsors is a banner featuring their name and logo, and the ODCC recruits volunteers to carry the sponsor banners along the parade route.
“While the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce organizes this parade annually, it is really the community that helps and we need volunteers to help keep our parade going strong,” says Allan Lafontaine, executive director of the ODCC.
Banner carriers will be asked to arrive at the parade staging area around 4 p.m., one hour before the start of the parade. There will be doughnuts and hot chocolate available to help them keep warm. The parade route is approximately 2.25 kilometres and is mainly flat; however, conditions could be snowy or wet depending on weather. While the parade route typically takes just over one hour to complete, volunteers can expect to be outside for a total of 2.5 to three hours total, so are encouraged to dress warmly and wear appropriate footwear.
Volunteering in the parade is a fun and easy way for high school students to earn their volunteer hours. Forms are provided at the volunteer sign-in area for students to submit to their schools. Elementary school-age students are also welcome to volunteer but must be accompanied by an adult if under the age of 14. Adults, families, and sports teams are also encouraged to volunteer, and it can be an excellent opportunity to connect with the community.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfN-PYRp6K0p076bugS1ohvJTzaILdtShBAHLhUhd-zivOQIw/viewform, or contact [email protected] for more information. Anyone who is interested in volunteering but unable to carry a banner due to mobility limitations may reach out for information about accommodations or other volunteer roles.
The Orillia Santa Claus Parade has been an annual tradition for well over a century, and has earned a reputation as one of the largest parades north of Toronto. Local businesses, non-profit organizations, and community groups are invited to enter floats, and can register at orillia.com/santa-claus-float-registration.
More about the Orillia Santa Claus Parade is available at orillia.com/santa-claus-parade or download the Explore Orillia Lake Country app and look for all things Christmas in the events section.
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