Forced to adopt a new drive-by format, the London Santa Claus Parade has finally found a venue large enough to hold the holiday event while meeting public health requirements.
The London International Airport has offered up its secondary runway for the November 14 parade.
Parade Executive Director Shaun Merton approached airport officials about moving the annual event to its grounds a few weeks ago.
"The London International Airport was ecstatic about the idea," said Merton. "They have been working really well with us and I think it will be really good. It's a different time we are in and we have to look outside of the box to make things work."
This year's parade was put in jeopardy in September when the City of London stated it would not be issuing parade permits for the rest of the year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. That forced Merton and his team to quickly develop a contingency plan to save the 64th edition of the parade, normally held on downtown streets.
The reimagined Santa Claus parade will see spectators enter the airport through a back entrance off of Crumlin Side Road and drive by a static display in their own vehicles.
"As you come into the airport grounds the food bank will be there collecting donations and then you'll proceed out onto the runway where you're going to see all of the floats," said Merton. "They are all going to be lined up and obviously at the end, you're going to see Santa."
The new parade format was developed in accordance with public health guidelines laid out by the Middlesex London Health Unit.
Everyone in attendance is required to remain inside of their vehicle at all times. For those who want to see the parade but don't have access to a car, the event will be live-streamed through the parade website www.londonsantaparade.ca.
Currently, only 15 floats have been entered in the parade. However, Merton noted this is the week that float entries typically jump to between 30 to 50.
The parade, featuring a "Christmas in the city" theme, will begin at 2 p.m. on November 14 and Merton recommends spectators arrive early to avoid disappointment.
"We will take our last car into the airport at 4:30 p.m. So if you're not there early you may not get in because of safety reasons at the airport we can't do it in the dark," said Merton.