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Wintry weather ideal for Santa Claus parade (26 photos)

People turned out by the many thousands despite the chill and bluster

It was windy and wintry, with a light snowfall. Just about perfect for a Santa Claus parade.

A number of people looking for the starting line of Sunday’s merry parade followed a roller-skating dragon to Woolwich Street, where floats, marching bands, bagpipers, jugglers, dancers and givers of candy were assembled.

It was -1C at start time, and the wind whipped in as if to give the thousands along the route an authentic bite of winter, for a change. The masses came dressed for winter success, bundled up in parkas and blankets. As though magically, trays of hot chocolate were seen being passed around.

Those thousands of bodies represented a great many thousands of smiles, as the annual event made good on its traditional goal to bring a huge number together for a first blast of Christmas spirit.

“That little bit of snow in the air makes it so much better,” said Karen Maffey, watching the parade with friend Carla Jordan. “It adds to the Christmas spirit.”

“The kids are loving the variety,” said Jordan, adding that the kid in her was also stirred by the sights and sounds of the event.

Sam Jewell, events coordinator for the Downtown Guelph Business Association, was the parade's principle organizer.

“It’s better that its snowy and wintry than raining,” she said, feeling the chill, but thrilled to see the mob that came out despite the cold. She suggested that Canadians can quickly acclimatize to a drop in temperature, thanks to their solid winter outerwear.

“I am actually surprised by the turnout,” she said, adding that a few parade entries were last-minute dropouts due to the high wind and the fragile nature of their floats.

The route resounded with the boom of marching bands, and the cry of multiple bagpipes. A roller derby team skated circles on the blacktop, and a team of jugglers kept remarkable concentration despite the many eyes watching, and the employees of a dental practiced dressed up as teeth. 

By the time Santa Claus’ float got rolling at the end of the parade line, those at the front were finishing up.  


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Rob O'Flanagan

About the Author: Rob O'Flanagan

Rob O’Flanagan has been a newspaper reporter, photojournalist and columnist for over twenty years. He has won numerous Ontario Newspaper Awards and a National Newspaper Award.
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