Santa Parade organizers warn of vendor application scam

Organizers of the Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade are warning the public about a scam involving fraudulent emails offering vendor booths for the 2026 parade.

In a notice issued Monday, parade organizers said the emails falsely claim businesses can apply for vendor space, list booth prices and promise invoices once applications are approved.

Monica Derksen, parade director, stressed in a release that the emails are not legitimate. The parade does not have a vendor program, is not accepting vendor applications and is not collecting vendor fees for the 2026 event.

Anyone who receives the emails is urged not to respond, send money or personal information, or click on any links or attachments. Recipients are instead encouraged to forward the messages to parade organizers so the incidents can be documented.

Organizers said official communications are sent only through authorized email addresses and official channels.