Toronto’s beloved Santa Claus Parade is in jeopardy due to a lack of funding, and a fundraiser has been created to keep the annual tradition alive.
On Thursday, organizers of the parade showed off some of its preparations ahead of the big day on Nov. 24. This year, the 120th anniversary edition will feature 26 incredible, hand-crafted floats accompanied by several spirited marchers, live bands, and celebrity clowns.
“We are thrilled to share that our Indigenous float, Pride Toronto and Toronto Caribbean Carnival are all returning to join the parade again this year. The Holly Jolly Fun Run returns again this year, starting at 11:45 a.m at 605 Bloor St. West. We’re expecting over 1,500 runners,” President and CEO of the Original Santa Claus Parade Clay Charters said at a press conference.
Every year, the parade attracts up to 750,000 guests of all ages, backgrounds and religions, and stands as a long-time family tradition for many residents.
“The great thing about the Santa Claus parade is that many of the thousands of people who showed up are people who’ve never celebrated Christmas but they’re there to celebrate each other. They’re there to celebrate the city. They’re there to bring joy to each other and at this point in time, in our lives and in the life of the city, we need more of that,” Former Mayor of Toronto John Tory said.
This comes after organizers of the parade reveal the organization is in desperate need of funding in order for the event to continue into 2025.
Chair of the Original Santa Claus Parade board of directors, David McCarthy, says this year could potentially be the last parade after 120 years, due to growing inflationary and operational costs.
“It is one of the world’s oldest annual parades. It is a free event that brings together children of every culture, race and religion and it might be the last one,” McCarthy said to reporters.
“While we are ever grateful to the City of Toronto for supporting the parade through road closures, permitting, garbage collection, etc., and for the wonderful support provided by the Toronto police, less than five per cent of the parade’s annual budget is funded through government grants at any level,” he continued.
Though the support is appreciated, McCarthy says it is simply not enough to keep the parade going unless further funding is provided.
“Putting on a parade of this size requires floats, security, warehouse space, barricades, etc., all of which are costly. Post-COVID, we’ve had a significant number of our long-time corporate sponsors advise us that they would no longer be supporting the parade for various reasons,” he explained, adding that corporate sponsors make up 85 per cent of its budget and without them, there would be no parade.
As a result, organizers have launched a GoFundMe campaign asking the public to help save the parade, with a goal of raising $250,000.
“If we want to bring this treasured Original Santa Claus Parade back next year, we must raise $250,000 to fill the current deficit. These funds will help the Parade meet increased operations and Parade-day security costs and fund new live streaming production costs,” the campaign reads.
At the time of publication, the campaign has raised roughly $51,000. In addition to the crowd fund, organizers say other ways fans can give back are by purchasing the parade’s official merchandise at Peace Collective or purchasing Rudolph-inspired red noses to wear on parade day.
The 120th Santa Claus Parade will take place on Sunday, Nov. 24 at 12:30 p.m at Christie Pits Park. The updated route will begin at the park and finish at the St. Lawrence Market at Jarvis Street.
For the first time ever, those who cannot attend the parade in person can also watch it live streamed on YouTube.
