Santa Claus Parade and NHL ho-ho-hockey will make for busy downtown Saturday

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This article was published 14/11/2023 (747 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why: Santa Claus is coming to town the same night as a Winnipeg Jets game.

The double booking Saturday has officials with both the parade and the Jets encouraging people to get downtown early, as both events — the unofficial holiday-season kickoff at 5 p.m. and the Hockey Night in Canada matchup against the Arizona Coyotes at 6 — will draw thousands of people to Portage Avenue.

The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade starts at Portage and Main, heading west and turning south along Memorial Boulevard, coming to an end at York Avenue.

Parade director Monica Derksen said the event has taken place on the Saturday after Remembrance Day for more than 15 years.

“This is not the first time the Jets have had a game within an hour of the parade start time and, as in previous years, all parties involved have been working together to ensure clear communication with our respective guests and a safe event for all,” Derksen said Tuesday.

With an evening Jets game last year, the parade shifted to mid-afternoon, but Derksen said it wasn’t the same.

“We decided to return to our usual 5 p.m., start time to enjoy the magic of a nighttime, lit parade. Most of the floats in our parade are lit, including Santa’s sleigh.

“We want the many volunteers who work hard to create those floats and the families who come out to enjoy them to get the most of the parade and get in the festive spirit.”

Derksen said the parade route implemented last year allows traffic to keep moving all day on both northbound Main Street and southbound Memorial Boulevard and Osborne Street.

Kevin Donnelly, senior vice-president of True North Sports and Entertainment, said to help fans getting to their seats on time they are opening the doors at Canada Life Centre early.

“We are encouraging people to be mindful of the road closures and come early,” Donnelly said.

“We are going to send an email out to help people get to the parking lots. If fans are coming from the north they should find a parking lot north of Portage and if they are coming from the south go to a parking lot south of Portage.

“It is what it is… it’s called having a busy active city.”

Christmas Cheer Board executive director Shawna Bell is also encouraging Winnipeggers planning to attend the parade to take non-perishable food items and new wrapped toys to help people in financial difficulty.

“We will have bins at Hydro Place for drop-off,” Bell said. “We will have folks on site who will be more than happy to see them. And we will also have volunteers along the parade route.”

The Santa Claus parade has run annually in the city since the former Eaton’s department store organized the first one in 1909.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca