BRACEBRIDGE SANTA PARADE TWINKLES IN THE DARK AS ELVES SING, DANCE IN THE STREETS

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

BRACEBRIDGE — Santa’s fourth stop here on his Muskoka Christmas tour last night was another sparkling display of lights, colour and festive fun for the season.

The annual Bracebridge Rotary Club’s holiday smorgasbord brought smiles, waves, plenty of music and shouts of joy from young and old.

The argument over daytime or night-time parades has merits on both sides — especially for little ones.

But you’d never know it along a jam-packed Manitoba Street where hundreds of babies, toddlers, moms, dads, grandparents and anyone who wanted a good time lined the long route from the top of town to the bottom.

Grandmas with grandbabies in arms were among the hundreds who lined Manitoba Street in Bracebridge last night for their annual evening parade that began at 6 p.m. and went for a fun-filled hour top of the town to the bottom with mild temperatures and warm hearts.

A post-Thanksgiving cornucopia that was definitely a horn of plenty for those to whom this truly ’tis the season of giving and celebrating.

The parade with more than 70 float participants offered something for most tastes.

Sights and sound of the season from start to finish.

From lots of inflatatable Santas to the real deal.

Santa Claus parades are fun to create, build, be in and watch from the sidelines.

And no district waivers to worry about.

With just a tad of damp wet white at the 6 p.m. beginning, the cavalcade of colour twinkled and danced down the street receiving applause with many repeating the shouts of joy.

As importantly it was mild around zero and without wind.

Santa, Mrs. Claus and his trusty elf toured the parade route beforehand to make sure all the hundreds of pariticipants were in the mood and the floats were in order.

Kids and grown-ups in snow suits and others likewise bundled in their own Muskoka wintry best riding through if at times being in the midst of a car crash with flashing lights and sirens echoing off storefronts.

They set the tone for “Big Red” and his eight dancing, prancing reindeer that brought up the end of a great hour-long seasonal start Dec. 1 that will last at least 25 more days — if you include another boxing day sale.

For non-nocturnal purists following Santa on his travails through Muskoka, the eternally young St. Nick makes his triumphal return next weekend at the east and west ends of the distric when he’ll miraculously be in two places at “1-ce.”

Both Baysville and Georgian Bay will see him making appearances between 1-4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 10.

Of course if you’re late and miss his first go-round at Baysville he does a second loop of the tiny village.

No matter when you catch him the sentiments of the season remain the same.

Peace, joy and goodwill toward men, women and others alike who share glad tidings to all.

Muskoka Concert Band conductor Fran Harvey welcomed a visit by neighbour and Mayor Rick Maloney, who was festooned in all manner of bells, chain of office and a great “ugly Christmas sweater.” He was happy to walk the parade greeting residents and bringing them best holiday wishes from the Town of Bracebridge.
Harvey was back on her float right away leading the band with Christmas carols and “Santa Claus if Coming to his Summer Home.”
Surrounded by adoring fans who could barely wait for his arrival, Santa didn’t disappoint with his own shouts of joy, Ho! Ho! Hos! waves to everyone who took them personally.

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