BALA — ’Tis the season for you know who and who and what he stands for one way and the other.
Kim Barlow calls this “N12” — as in the 37 days after Remembrance Day.
Between now and Christmas expect to see jolly St. Nick — and his look-a-like stand-ins — everywhere.
But his first live sighting is traditionally the Bala Christmas Santa Claus Parade.
Colourful, cute and funny, participants in this year’s first Santa parade in Bala Saturday were a joy to see and hear a day before snow covered the route Sunday. Photo Alex Hogg
True to form he followed up another fine entry among the six official Muskoka appearances he and his believers will make.
Ahead of him was a vast array of colourful entries along Hwy. 169 to his final destination at the community centre where he held centre court on stage to greet the good little girls and boys towing their parents in hand and enjoying luncheon giveaways.
That was after the kiddos scarffed down handfuls of sweet treats along the street route.
Most of the good-natured businesses and organizations chipped in with floats of some assemblage.
Either elaborate or simple participants were all festive and in great spirits on a gorgeous November day that felt sunshine at times and nary any wind to speak of.
Dry roads were perfect for the large crowds of families who gathered along the path and who enjoyed live sounds of the season by the Bracebridge Legion Pipe Band who marched at the front of the parade and the Muskoka Concert Band who brought up the rear on the Johnston Cranberry Marsh tour wagon.
Even a walking cranberry.
MPP Graydon Smith and Muskoka Lakes Township Mayor offered wellwishers best of the season.
In between piped in songs kept fans of the season in the mood.
A cool dog in a hat that had its ears cut out, a snowman and a Christmas tree star that walked, a couple of people being pulled on skateboards, old cars, old trucks, new trucks, boats and more one filled with candies were just part of the fun that lasted 45 minutes and put a smile on faces before they woke up to snow Sunday.
Trinity All Saint Anglican Church had cases of Werther’s candies in the back of a pickup from which they gave out bags of the carmel and pumpkin sweets. The Bala and Port Carling Garden Centres defied weather handing out their always popular pointsettias. Bala in Bloom offered packages of seeds for spring.
It was a great way to start a season some Grinches find early and overall fault with.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Celebrate a chance to just be able to take part and make someone else’s day.
If you can’t beat it join it.
You’ll get five more chances in the coming weeks starting next Saturday in Gravenhurst.
Welcome to the first Christmas Santa Claus Parade of the year in Bala.The Bala Legion colour guard followed up the welcome sign in the normal way …… the Bracebridge Legion following close behind to let crowds know they were on their way.These colourful little critters had the best view of the parade from their windowsill.Colourful, cute and funny, participants in this year’s first Santa parade in Bala Saturday were a joy to see and hear a day before snow covered the parade route Sunday.A walking snowman and walking Christmas tree were among the colourful parade characters kids and parents loved to see.Muskoka Shriner president David Finch road in style in their golf cart leading three parts to their float.All shined-up and ready to go for another parade season, the Shriners’ antique fire truck gleamed in the sometimes sunshine.The Shriner ‘Muskiteers’ are alwaya a hit with families who love to see them cross paths.Not every Shriner road in the open. This cool black ride was the cat’s meow in the 1950s.Shriner Tony Armstrong gives MuskokaTODAY.com photographer Lois Cooper a big hug.Reindeer ears, coloured lights and candy were a great way to walk the route and hand out good cheer.The Bala and Port Carling Garden Centre float is alway a popular entry with its giveaways.Kristen Jones hands out some of the more than 200 pointsettias the garden centre generously does each year.Bala in Bloom handed out packages of seeds to kick off the spring planting season.And don’t forget the annual Bala Trek Dec. 9 around town, always a hit with Christmas purists.Everyone loves parade and Bala’s is always enjoyable whether you’re in it or on the sidelines watching.Inflatable Santa hitches a ride with this Muskoka Lakes Rotary Club parade participant.Hurry hard if you wanted to see the Bala Curling Club float go glide by.Bala’s Legion president Dennis Mills gets a good view of the parade and its full float.This smiling Grinch looks great – and warm – in her lime leggings and Santa suit.Handout or throw out, candy canes came on the end of hockey stick from these legionnaires.Hitting the waves on Hwy. 169 was a fun way to ride out Saturday’s parade.And you thought Mrs. Claus made all those cookies alone for good little girls and boys.The MCB/’Cranberry Bog’ Band warms up outside The Kee to Bala under the direction of fill-in conductor and selfie shooter Sara Lovering.The Muskoka Concert Band, sans sign, played Christmas carols and popular holiday favourites along the way. And of course – “Hear Comes Santa Claus.”Santa arrived in true style high on the back of an old vintage Muskoka Lakes fire truck waving to his loyal fans.These colourful little critters had the best perch on which on which to watchthe parade from their windowsill.
