WEATHER ALERT

Santa Claus comes to town

Winnipeggers got an early visit from the man in red when the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade rolled through the streets of downtown Winnipeg, Saturday evening.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/11/2024 (561 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winnipeggers got an early visit from the man in red when the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade rolled through the streets of downtown Winnipeg, Saturday evening.

The annual event began at the intersection of Portage Avenue at Main Street, then headed west down Portage to Memorial Boulevard where it turned south on Memorial to Broadway.

The parade itself started at 5 p.m. with sponsored “block parties” that were to begin at 4 p.m.

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                                Santa Claus waves to his admirers as he arrives in downtown Winnipeg ahead of the Christmas season Saturday night. The Jolly Old Elf was participating in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

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Santa Claus waves to his admirers as he arrives in downtown Winnipeg ahead of the Christmas season Saturday night. The Jolly Old Elf was participating in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

Road closures along the route started as early as 11 a.m. on Saturday with all closures scheduled to end at 10 p.m.

The Santa Claus parade, which kicks off the Christmas season in the city, has run every year in Winnipeg since the former Eaton’s department store organized the first one in 1909.

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                                University of Manitoba mascot Billy the Bison having fun with the crowd during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade, Saturday.

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University of Manitoba mascot Billy the Bison having fun with the crowd during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade, Saturday.

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                                Laura Brown (right) and three-year-old Gryffin, who is dressed as a junior paramedic, are part of the Winnipeg Fire Paradmedic Services parade entry.

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Laura Brown (right) and three-year-old Gryffin, who is dressed as a junior paramedic, are part of the Winnipeg Fire Paradmedic Services parade entry.

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                                Winnipeg Mayor and parade grand marshal Scott Gillingham waves to the crowd during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg, Saturday.

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Winnipeg Mayor and parade grand marshal Scott Gillingham waves to the crowd during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg, Saturday.

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                                Chemo Savvy Dragon Boat Team member Shonna operates the head of the dragon during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade, Saturday.

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Chemo Savvy Dragon Boat Team member Shonna operates the head of the dragon during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade, Saturday.

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                                Katie Gorrill is dresssed as a Barrel of Monkeys as she waves to the crown while participating in the annual Santa Claus Parade in downtown Winnipeg, Saturday.

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Katie Gorrill is dresssed as a Barrel of Monkeys as she waves to the crown while participating in the annual Santa Claus Parade in downtown Winnipeg, Saturday.

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                                Sophia Patzer, 8, a member of the Winnipeg 150 parade entry, passes out candy canes to the crowd along the parade route.

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Sophia Patzer, 8, a member of the Winnipeg 150 parade entry, passes out candy canes to the crowd along the parade route.

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                                Two-year-old Raemi Weremiuk waves to the crowd as she and dad Brett were part of the Manitoba Hydro entry in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

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Two-year-old Raemi Weremiuk waves to the crowd as she and dad Brett were part of the Manitoba Hydro entry in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

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                                Winnipeg Goldeyes mascot Goldie even pitched in.

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Winnipeg Goldeyes mascot Goldie even pitched in.

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                                Savannah Sailor, right, and her mother Kristina Sailor watch the parade.

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Savannah Sailor, right, and her mother Kristina Sailor watch the parade.

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                                Mattea Thiessen (left) and Winnipeg Mayor and parade grand marshal Scott Gillingham wave to the crowd.

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Mattea Thiessen (left) and Winnipeg Mayor and parade grand marshal Scott Gillingham wave to the crowd.

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                                Even The Grinch was giving high fives to the crowd during the parade.

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Even The Grinch was giving high fives to the crowd during the parade.

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                                Brandy McKay shows her enthusiasm as she waves a Winnipeg Blue Bombers flag while participating in the Santa Claus Parade.

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Brandy McKay shows her enthusiasm as she waves a Winnipeg Blue Bombers flag while participating in the Santa Claus Parade.

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                                Chemo Savvy Dragon Boat Team member Avery Gervis waves to the crowd as she participates in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

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Chemo Savvy Dragon Boat Team member Avery Gervis waves to the crowd as she participates in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

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                                Falun Dafa participate in the parade.

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Falun Dafa participate in the parade.

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                                The Winnipeg Firefighters Musuem parade entry featured a restored fire truck from 1966.

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The Winnipeg Firefighters Musuem parade entry featured a restored fire truck from 1966.

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                                Mrs. Claus waves to the crowd during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg, Saturday.

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Mrs. Claus waves to the crowd during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg, Saturday.

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