Amid a steady downpour of rain, it was a sea of umbrellas mixed with holiday excitement Saturday night as Santa Claus and his reindeer made their way to Orillia for the annual Orillia Santa Claus parade.
“Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas,” yelled Santa Claus as he smiled and waved while braving the elements during the parade held in his honour.
The Orillia parade, billed as the largest Santa Claus parade north of Toronto, saw more than 80 floats and bands bring joy to thousands of families.
From floats with music to dancers to animals to Christmas lights, the parade had it all as they made their way down Colborne Street, around Soliders' Memorial Hospital and through the downtown core before ending on Front Street.
The parade route was packed with spectators who came out to watch the parade and, especially, to see Santa himself.
“We have always enjoyed the Santa Claus parades, but the best part, according to our children, is seeing Santa and getting all the free candy canes,” said Heather Pauze, who was in attendance with her family.
Many in the crowd, which numbered in the thousands, also brought donations of non-perishable food for the food bank, coats for a coat drive and made financial donations to the members of the Orillia Kiwanis Club's bucket brigade.
Officials say that they are already looking forward to next year’s parade, and encourage anyone who would like to help, to reach out early next year.
