Chatham-Kent residents might start to feel the holiday spirit once Santa Claus parades get going.
Festive events are scheduled to take place across the municipality, with the first parade set to happen in Chatham November 16.
Connie Beneteau, office administrator and project coordinator for the Historic Downtown Chatham BIA, said this year's parade will have a theme rooted in history.
"It could be anything from Victorian to 60's, as long as it's historic," she said. "We don't judge anybody by their floats. They just come in and it's a community event."
There will be fewer floats than previous years, but Beneteau said they're still expecting almost 800 people to participate in the parade.
"I've got a couple of stilt walkers coming in, we had them a couple of years ago [and] they were a lot of fun," she said. "We've got several groups that are going to be looking for donations."
Besides bringing along a stuffed toy or food donation, Beneteau said kids may also want to bring letters for Santa as they will be collected along the route.
Since there is a load restriction on the Third Street bridge, Beneteau said this year's route will start on Sandys Street and go along King Street. The roads will be closed around 4:30 p.m. but the parade starts at 6:30 p.m.
"Then at the end of the Santa Claus parade, at the WISH Centre, we're going to have Mr. and Mrs. [Claus], where the kids can go in and they can tell Santa what they want for Christmas," she said. "They'll [also] get a little goodie bag for going in to see Santa."
On that same weekend, the Knights of Pythias will be holding their 49th annual Santa Claus Parade in Wallaceburg November 17. The parade will start at 2 p.m. on Arnold Street. The route will then go down Dufferin Avenue, James Street, Nelson Street, and Elgin Street.
Below is a list of parades in Chatham-Kent scheduled for later dates:
Tilbury Santa Claus Parade -- November 30 at 7 p.m.
Wheatley Santa Claus Parade -- December 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Bothwell Optimist Santa Claus Parade -- December 7 at 7 p.m.
Blenheim Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade -- December 7 at 7 p.m.
Ridgetown Santa Claus Parade -- December 8 at 1 p.m.
Dresden Santa Claus Parade -- December 8 at 6 p.m.
Thamesville Santa Claus Parade -- December 14 at 7 p.m.
-With files from Cheryl Johnstone.
Related: CP Holiday Train chuggin’ to Chatham & Windsor in November