Christmas Parade in NOTL this Saturday

The 809 Newark Squadron Air Cadets will be the honourary colour guard leading this Saturday’s Christmas Parade in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

With 92 entries in the parade, Counc. Erwin Wiens, a member of the town’s parade committee, said many of the community favourites will be back, including the Top Hot Marching Band from Burlington, multiple school entries, jeeps and dogs. And, of course, Santa Claus is expected to make an appearance.

Beginning at the intersection of King and Centre Street in Old Town at 11 a.m., the parade will wind its way through thousands of onlookers down Castlereagh, Wellington, Byron/Prideaux, Simcoe and Queen Streets.

While parking is free during the month of December, there will be limited spots available on parade day and some streets will be closed. Town staff encourages drivers to plan ahead.

Parade-goers can purchase a parade button sold by members of the button committee to offset some of the costs of the parade. On the button this year is an image by Trisha Romance. John Strecker, an organizer on the committee, said that this has been a good year for sales so far, and buttons can be purchased for $3 at locations throughout town, and members will be out during the parade itself.

Volunteers with Newark Neighbours will walk with Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro at the end of the parade to collect food ad toy donations for the food bank.