| Fort Macleod set to host 28th annual parade |
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| SW AB Content - Arts/Lifestyles |
| Thursday, 26 November 2009 16:44 |
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By Alisha Sims Southern Alberta Newspapers Fort Macleod When Jana Pansky says the annual Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade is the oldest and largest parade of its kind west of Toronto, she says it with confidence. She knows that because she’s done her research. “We’ve been saying we’re the largest parade for so many years that I wanted to make sure that’s true,” said the parade co-ordinator. “Then I found a Santa Claus parade in Winnipeg and I thought, ‘We can’t be bigger than that one.’ But we are, we are big.” Nov. 28 marks the 28th annual Santa Claus Parade, a winter tradition in Fort Macleod. The town’s population nearly triples in size as more than 10,000 people line the streets to welcome Santa and his special guests. The parade opens with the town crier in horse and buggy, calling out the news Santa is on his way. About 100 floats, marching bands and street entertainers make their way north along 2nd Avenue to Main Street, where it turns east to 6th Avenue. This year’s theme is “O Christmas Tree ... O Christmas Tree.” The parade starts at 11 a.m. and typically runs 90 minutes in length. The highlight is always Santa’s arrival at the end of the parade, she said. With the Grey Cup parade happening in Calgary the same day, however, Fort Macleod’s parade lost three of its usual marching bands, but organizers found more than suitable replacements. Hippodrome, a 13-piece funk/disco/jazz/blues/Motown/everything band from Lethbridge, has joined the parade lineup along with the University of Lethbridge Global Drums, Spirit of Alberta Marching Band, the Cranbrook Girls Bugle Band to name a few. The festivities actually begin a day earlier — Nov. 27 — at 6 p.m. with Midnight Madness, followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree and carolling at the west end of Main Street at 6:45 p.m. Wagon rides will be available along Main Street 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Fort Museum will be open at 7 p.m. with free admission for its Yuletide Fest. The Yuletide Fest continues into Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The seventh annual Festival of Wreaths begins 6 p.m. Friday at the Fort Museum, with auction proceeds going to support Ranchland’s Victim Services Society. The Fort Macleod Hospital Auxiliary will host its annual bake sale at 6 p.m. Friday at the RCMP Centennial Library, continuing at 9 a.m. the next day. Other activities Saturday include a Giant Christmas Craft Sale in the former Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce on Main Street beginning 9 a.m., photo with Santa at the Fort Macleod Gazette with proceeds going to the Kids First Family Centre, the K of C Food Barn at noon and the Welcome Mat at noon at the Fort Macleod Seniors’ Centre where chili and a bun will be served. At 2 p.m Saturday, the doors of the Empress Theatre will open for a free children’s movie, “Santa Claus 3,” starring Tim Allen. The annual Rotary Auction at Fort Macleod Auction Market will begin at 2:30 p.m. featuring a load of donated items for the fund raising activity. All proceeds benefit the local community. The Christmas celebration weekend will end with a Family Dance from 7-10 p.m. Saturday in the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall. Pansky said to watch for a change in its fundraising campaign. “What we’re doing is having people go up and down the spectators lineup during the parade and ask them to drop their loose change in the bucket.” The red-bucket idea was tested last year and proved to be quite successful, she said. The red buckets will replace 50/50 ticket sales. “It was amazing how much we raised,” she said. “We raised over $3,000 with just that.” Sponsorships, and contributions from individuals and organizations also help fund the weekend, she added. For more information on the Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade and 2009 Christmas Festival, phone Pansky at 403-553-3546. |
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