Santa to parade his way around Kingston and area
The holiday season is in full swing in the Kingston area, and this weekend, the big man himself, Santa Claus, will be parading through downtown Kingston.
According to a release from the Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area (BIA), this year’s parade is shaping up to be the biggest parade ever!
“Santa and Mrs. Claus love their stop in Kingston,” said Sandi Griffiths, events coordinator with the Downton Kingston BIA. “And this year, we have a record number of parade participants celebrating their visit.”
On Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, the Nighttime Santa Parade will “jingle its way down Princess Street,” the BIA stated. Starting at 5 p.m. from Innovation Park (Bath Road and Princess Street), close to 90 businesses and organizations are taking part this year.
“We all have our favourites,” Griffiths said. “But over a third of this year’s participants are new to the parade, so it’ll be fun to see what they come up with.”
The biggest parade ever means two large staging areas – one at Innovation Park, and one in the parking lot at the corner of Bath Road and Sir John A Macdonald Boulevard – as well as a coordinated effort between BIA staff and volunteers, Kingston Police, Kingston Fire and Rescue, Public Works, and City Transportation Services, according to the release.
“There are a lot of moving pieces – literally,” confirmed Griffiths, “and a lot of people who have permanently made Santa’s Nice List!”
The BIA reminds spectators to please bring food and cash donations for the Partners in Mission Food Bank. Food bank staff and volunteers, with help from Junior Gael’s AAA Hockey, will be collecting items along the parade route.
Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus, with help from a few special guests, will light the giant tree in Springer Market Square. Santa’s Village will also be set up on the north side of square (along Brock Street) for perfect Santa selfies and holiday card photos.
Can’t make it this weekend? Here are some other Santa parades in the area:
The Sydenham Santa Claus Parade will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. According to South Frontenac Township, the parade leaves the Sydenham Fire Hall at 11 a.m. sharp and there is no requirement to register. Those who wish to enter the parade are asked to be at the fire hall by 10:30 a.m. Road closures will be in effect.
The following day, the big guy makes the short trip for a full-day stop as Santa arrives in Tamworth on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022. The Tamworth Royal Canadian Legion Santa Claus Parade will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the opening of Santa’s Store at the Legion, which is located at 714 Addington Street. Beginning at 1:45 p.m., children will be welcomed into Santa’s Store, where they’re able to check people off their gift lists all on their own for a minimum $3 donation per gift. Children should bring their shopping list, cash, and a shopping bag to hold all of their goodies, and the elves will assist with selecting gifts and wrapping. All events presented by the Tamworth and District Lions Club. To register to participate in the parade, contact Lorraine Prue at [email protected].
On Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, Santa will parade through Gananoque. The parade will begin at Gananoque District High School at 5:30 p.m. Floats will begin from the parking lot behind the school, and turn left onto Elizabeth Drive. The parade will then proceed to King Street, and take a left down King Street towards Town Hall Park where the parade will conclude — and related festivities will begin. According to the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce, this year’s parade theme is Traditional Down Home Christmas.
Santa will also be visiting Wolfe Island on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. This parade will depart from the Fire Hall at 4 p.m., and parade-goers are invited to enjoy hot dogs and hot chocolate, and a visit with the big man himself, after the parade.
I know that I’ll get a sack full of coal, but, this is a terrible Super-Spreader Event for Covid, influenza, and RSV, (especially, when children are closely packed together, along the parade route). There are plenty of Queen’s students, now, who probably got their Covid infection either from attending the Homecoming events or from fellow students who did). I have seen far too many children in Emergency Room waiting areas, lately; and, this will not improve with another rise in Covid cases by the start of December.
Get vaccinated. Get your children vaccinated. Wear masks. Don’t get crowded together, if you do take your children to see this parade. Dress for warmth. Better yet, I advise people to watch it on television.
Why, (when there is a pandemic and an increase in respiratory illnesses among young children, along with a shortage of pediatric medications and antibiotics), has the City and BIA decided to proceed with this event? Did KFL&A Public Health not advise that this event can have very serious consequences?