The Original Santa Claus Parade is returning to Toronto for its 121st edition, just one year after it nearly faced cancellation due to funding shortfalls.
The 121st parade will take place on Nov. 23 at 12:30 beginning at Christie Pits and ending at the St. Lawrence Market.
The parade returns after nearly facing cancellation last year due to funding shortfalls, which led organizers to call on community support and donations through a GoFundMe to keep the parade going.
The GoFundMe, which was launched last year, is still accepting donations, and has since raised more than $140,000 as of publication.
President and CEO of The Santa Claus Parade, Clay Charters, tells Now Toronto that the community showed up in numbers to support the parade last year, and continued to do so this year.
“We had not just corporate partners continue to stick with us… but also everyday Canadians contributing through a GoFundMe campaign that was run last year,” Charters said.
Charters said that this year all three levels of government also stepped up to fund the parade, but says “there is still work to do” to ensure the event’s longevity.
“The economy is, as we all know and are experiencing, challenging at this time, and that trickled down to every aspect of every business, including the parade,” Charters said.
Charters said the majority of the parade’s funding comes through corporate sponsorships, and attempts to complement that through other events and activities such as the 5k Holly Jolly Fun Run. With growing need for funding, he says community support is always most welcomed.
“If you are of the means and able and interested, you can simply donate to [the] parade via our website… We’re just grateful for the community support and happy to put on a great event for everyone,” he said.
With support from the GoFundMe campaign, Charters said attendees can expect to see the return of the traditional Holly Jolly Fun Run which will include 2,000 runners to kick off the parade. In addition, spectators will enjoy 27 floats, 18 marching bands, and several performers.
Returning floats this year will include the Mother Goose floats and the Santa and Mrs. Claus floats. New floats will be presented by LEGO Canada, Circle K, Nintendo and more.
Those who are unable to attend the parade can watch the event on CityNews, as the channel will air the event starting at 1 p.m., a partnership that Charters says is crucial in spreading the parade’s Christmas spirit.
“Toronto, and maybe viewers outside of Toronto, can feel a bit like it’s a small town for a little bit, to have that closeness with friends and neighbours who you might not otherwise get a chance to interact with,” he said. “It brings the whole community together.”
