Santa looking forward to visiting NOTL Sunday

UPDATE: With a weather forecast of rain Saturday, Santa has changed his visit to Sunday, Dec. 13, same time, same route.

Santa Claus hopes to see lots of boys and girls when he travels through the streets of Niagara-on-the-Lake Sunday.

His plan is to start in Glendale around 9:30 a.m.

“I’m delighted to be coming to town this weekend. The planning and organizing has been really well-done, to try to keep everyone safe. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” says Santa. Although it’s a bit disappointing there couldn’t be a parade, like other years, “I’m  really looking forward to seeing the kids,” he says.

He expects it could take as long as about six or seven hours to see everyone, much longer than a typical parade, but he’s happy he will be getting to all the villages in town.

“It’s going to be fun for me, and fun for everyone who comes out. I am very grateful to be part of this. Santa likes to see lots of happy faces, and all the parents and kids smiling and waving.”

He’s hoping parents will hold up name signs, to help him in case he forgets any of the names of the children who come out to see him, he says. It may also be hard to recognize them if they’re wearing masks.

“Santa has been making all kinds of preparations for this year. The elves are working very hard, preparing for the many visits around the world, and I know we’ll get to all of them. I’m very confident when Christmas Day comes, we’ll be delivering presents in all the homes in town and around the world, wearing all the COVID protective gear. And don’t forget Santa’s favourite cookies are chocolate chip, although I’ll be happy with any cookies and milk.”

There is a map of Santa’s route on https://notl.com/christmas

After starting in Glendale, his sleigh will travel along Queenston Road to York Road into St. Davids, through a few neighbourhoods in the village, before continuing along York Road to the village of Queenston, then back to Concession 2,  up to East and West Line, along Niagara Street to the Old Town, to Chautauqua, Garrison Village, out Lakeshore Road to Four Mile Creek Road to Hunter Road, to Niagara Stone Road, back to East and West Line, and then on through a couple of Virgil neighbourhoods, ending around Concession 6 at Niagara Stone Road.

To follow the route the day of Santa’s journey through NOTL, and the time he’ll reach each area, visit the Town of Niagara-
on-the-Lake Facebook page.