Dreaming of a warm Christmas

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This article was published 10/11/2016 (3597 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ron Mark took a moment to check the weather forecast for Saturday’s Santa Claus parade and yelped.

“Holy mackerel,” Mark said. “Plus 16 (Celsius). Sunny. I’ve never seen a forecast like this.”

Mark is executive director of the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade, and in his eight years on the job this is the earliest day the event has been held — and potentially the warmest.

So the obvious question: what will Santa be wearing in double-digit temperatures?

“Santa will be wearing his full garb,” Mark replied, without hesitation.“The temperature doesn’t really bother him. Remember, he goes all over the world, so he’s used to the warm weather in other places.

“But the elves get a little cranky. They like it cold.”

Fair enough. Regardless, the parade will begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, starting at Portage Avenue and Young Street, before finishing at William Stephenson Way and Main Street at approximately 6:30 p.m.

In all, there will be a little more than 80 entries in the annual parade — which kicks off Christmas festivities downtown — about half of which are floats.

Mark noted watching the parade from a standing position along the route will take about an hour. Organizers are expecting 30,000-plus spectators.

Although the parade, which has been a Winnipeg tradition since 1909, should have the warmest temperatures “in living memory,” Mark said the crowd size should not be affected.

Sure, it will be mild, but Mark said Winnipeggers usually come out regardless of temperatures.

He noted there will be about a dozen new entries in the parade this year.

“That always gives it a new look.”

Along with the final float carrying Santa, there is the second-last entry, nicknamed “Kong” (because of its size) which transports Mrs. Claus and has a candy cane theme. The Winnipeg Jets entry from True North Sports & Entertainment will include a miniature hockey rink, while one of three Manitoba Hydro floats will be a “Candy Carousel,” with animated horses.

The theme of this year’s parade is “Magic of the Season.” There will also be donation boxes along the route for the Christmas Cheer Board.

Mark is confident that barring a major change in the forecast, the elves will be the only cranky ones, since the children are never disappointed.

“We love to see the kids’ eyes light up,” he said, “and smiles come across their faces.”

randy.turner@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @randyturner15

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