Leamington will be the next Essex County community to try a drive-through Santa Claus parade.
The North Pole's most important resident pays a visit to "Canada's South Pole" on Saturday night, as Point Pelee National Park becomes the venue for the drive-by parade, made necessary by COVID-19 control guidelines.
The parade is sponsored by the Leamington District Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Parks Canada. After the town of Kingsville held its Santa Parade last weekend, chamber president Wendy Parsons said they have been working to ensure the event goes smoothly for everyone.
"We have spent the week reviewing our traffic and safety plans," said Parsons. "We ask spectators to follow the instructions and volunteer’s directions to ensure everyone has a positive experience."
Drivers are asked to line up at the entrance off Seacliff Drive and Bevel Line no earlier than 5:30 p.m. so that all floats and volunteers can enter the park and set up in plenty of time. Side roads will be closed to cut back on congestion.
Once inside the park, vehicles will be driven through an orientation area, where letters to Santa and food donations will be accepted. Drivers are urged to place their food donations in a bag so they can easily be handed off to volunteers and keep the line of vehicles moving.
Floats will be set up along a 12-kilometre route through the park, and visitors will be able to view them from the safety and warmth of their vehicles.
Last week's drive-through march in Kingsville drew a much larger turnout than organizers had anticipated, with some people complaining about congestion and an hours-long wait to see the floats on display.
Parsons reminds people that in the age of pandemic restrictions, patience and kindness will be the key to the Leamington march.
"You know Santa is watching," said Parsons.