Santa slips into Gravenhurst, avoids freezing rain, puts on great show
Photos by Lois Cooper | MuskokaTODAY.com
GRAVENHURST – The official results aren’t in yet from the Chamber of Commerce on the top entries in the Santa Claus parade; but unofficially judging by the size and reaction of the crowd – everyone was a winner.
The floats, the entries, the walkers, the sponsors – and mostly the Christmas and Santa fans who lined Muskoka Road from Veterans Way north to Sawdust City and Royal Bank.
It was 11 blocks of fun for the whole family if you add the extra two blocks from Bethune Drive/Kelly/Drive and Pinedale Road where more than 50 entries marshalled for the hour-long candy fest.
And most importanly they avoided the freezing rain that came about a half hour after Santa pulled up the rear to the roar of the crowds of young and old who smiled and squealed with delight at the sight of Jolly St. Nick.
From start to finish there was something for everyone, as hundreds were either in the parade or watching it from the snowy sidewalks.
The weather was actually perfect – not too cold for most who were in colourful snowsuits, with warm jackets and sensible footware.
The floats had everything. And parade banners said it all: from “Jesus is the Reason for the Season” to “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas.”
The Gravenhurst High School Gryphons had their robot aboard; there were dogs and horses (Junior and Rascal, percherons from Twin Maples Farms who were out last night for the Tree Lighting); Junior Anglers hockey players in the gree jerseys; Army Cadets; Shriners in a firetruck and on mini bikes; volunteer firefighters, police, Bike Night motorcyclists; dozens of businesses; a giant yellow Minion; pipes and drums; the Beechgrove public school band; another band on a float with an outhouse and piping that had it producing “natural gas”; boy scouts, girl guides; legionnaires; the Just for Kicks kids; elves from Santa’s Village; Lions, Rotarians; and dozens of business floats, including one from the Muskoka Wharf Association where the Boston Pizza is said to be re-opening in January.
A nice mix of from the community to bring some more peace and joy as we head into a month of Christmas cheer.
Afterwards the Lions Club hosted a sit-down and photo op with Santa upstairs at the Opera House, where well over a 100 kids and parents lined up to tell the man in red what they want for Christmas.
Next weekend Santa is in Huntsville Friday night a 7 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Bracebridge. Bala’s parade was last Saturday.
Take a look for yourself below at some of the sights, and other parade posts of more pictures on MuskokaTODAY.com
And if you’ve got any good photos, send them along to us at news@muskokatoday.com.
