Photos: Nighttime Santa Parade 2019
It was a cold evening where the hot cocoa and apple cider were a must to keep hands warm, but that did stop hundreds from lining the streets of downtown Kingston for the 2019 Nighttime Santa Parade.
Presented by the Downtown Kingston! Business Improvement Area (BIA), the parade had over 70 entries, including dance companies, local not-for-profit organizations, marching bands, local businesses, and more.
As they do each year, the BIA organized a panel of judges (including our co-publisher Tori Stafford), who positioned themselves at the corner of Princess and Division Streets to take in the many themes, displays, colours, and lights making their way towards Kingston City Hall. Announced on Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, this year’s winners are as follows:
- Best commercial entry: Waste Connections of Canada
- Best community entry: Motorcycle Ride for Dad
- Best theme: TK Danceworx
- Twinkle award: Kingston Fire and Rescue
- Most holiday spirit: Bay Park Baptist Church
- Best entry new to the parade: Molly Brant Elementary School
- Best school float: LaSalle Secondary School
- Best marching band: Queen’s Bands
- Best overall: Downtown Kingston! BIA Board of Directors
- New award for best green float: Kingston Paint and Decorating
In case you missed the parade, or just want to relive some of it again, please enjoy a slideshow of some of our best photos of the 2019 parade! All photos by Dominic Owens.
Leisa’s School of Dance was the first dance company in the parade. Photo by Dominic Owens. 
Those with Leisa’s School of Dance show off their moves in their festive red and white. 
The KFLA Public Health mascot waves to those in attendance. 
The KFL&A Public Health truck. 
Those with Third Day Worship Centre hold the banner at the beginning of their entry. 
The Calliope Collective stunned and awed with their incredible puppets. 
More of the amazing puppets by Calliope Collective. 
The Giant Tiger train makes its way down Princess Street. 
The band on the Corus Entertainment float entertained the crowds with holiday classics. 
More of the Corus Entertainment float. 
The Bayridge Secondary School mascot, the Bengal Tiger, as part of the school’s entry. 
The Tiny Hoppers frog mascot hopped down Princess Street all the way to City Hall,. 
The Royal Canadian Army Cadets brought uniformed youngsters and their leaders to the parade. 
Those with Kingston Fire and Rescue actively engaged with parade watchers. 
One of two trucks in the Kingston Fire and Rescue entry. 
The Kingston Fire and Rescue ladder truck took parade participants to new heights. 
Those with Motorcycle Ride for Dad greeted as many parade-goers as possible, handing out candy canes and saying hi. 
Those with Frontenac Paramedics were easy to pick out in the parade with their neon yellow jackets.