On Patrol

 

This old police car, a 1957 Chevy, often comes out for special events like the Santa Claus parade which was the case here. The car sat on Bloor St and led off the start of the parade. Quite a difference from the police vehicles that we see today.

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Ready For Work

 

The last float in the Santa Claus Parade is always Santa and the reindeer. The reindeer were ready to go but Santa hasn't arrived yet. It was a nice sunny day for them.

Have a great Christmas Eve! 

Treats

 

Everyone loves a treat and Tim Hortons is probably the most popular place in Canada to get a coffee and a donut. Those round balls are Timbits which are the centres cut out of a donut, or so they say. Kids love them.

Waiting For The Parade

 This was the scene on Bloor St about 2 hours before the Santa Claus Parade began. People come out very, very early to claim an area along the road and set out chairs for the kids to use later. Then the adults stand around guarding their territory. It was only about 0˚C so it wasn't too cold for these early kids. Some years it has been really cold!

The Wise One

 

This wise owl in the Santa Claus parade was ready for the action to begin. During the parade little kids will be sitting on those 2 white benches in front of him - with seat belts on.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world. 

Pickup Float

 

I loved this float in the Santa Claus Parade with the red truck loaded up with Christmas things. The triangle on the door refers to the Canadian Tire company where you can buy everything you need for your home and your vehicle.

Marchers

 

These people dressed in traditional Japanese garb were gathering in the park beside yesterday's cheesecake float. I assume they were going to be marching along by the float when the parade began. They look a bit chilled and it was 2 hours until the parade began.

Cheesecake

 

This was a new float in the Santa Claus Parade. They were actually handing out samples under that red awning in the background. They were quite tasty!

Taking part in Signs2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world. 

Mario At The Parade

 

I am not into Nintendo but the kids seem to like Mario a lot so this float in the Santa Claus Parade is a popular one. During the parade those vehicles go up & down. That is still Christie Pits park in the background.

Start The Parade

 

Our Annual Santa Claus Parade took place a few weeks ago and I always try to go down to Bloor St in the morning well before it starts so I can get up close to the floats and take pics. This was the 121st parade after missing 2 years during the pandemic and Mother Goose has led off the parade since 1917. She has changed form many times through the years and is now a Canada Goose. That is Christie Pits Park behind her.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world. 

Waiting For The Big Guy

 

The reindeer were all ready and waiting for Santa Claus to join them at the parade - a bit like tonight when they will all be anxious to get going. Enjoy your Christmas Eve.

The Skaters

 

Charlie Brown and Snoopy made an appearance in the Santa Claus Parade on a float for Canada's Wonderland which is an amusement park north of the city. They both look quite happy to be skating away as the float proceeds down its route.

Arches

 

I quite liked the McDonalds float in the Santa Claus Parade. I assume that Ronald probably was on board during the parade itself.

Creatures In The Parade

 

I loved these squirrels and the rabbit that were on one of the floats in the Santa Claus Parade. The squirrels were probably planning some mischief that they could get into along the parade route.

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Build Something

 

Everyone of all ages seems to love building with Lego and they sponsored a float at the Santa Claus Parade complete with Christmas sweaters.

Winter Fun

 

The polar bears and deer were having fun on a nice winter day on this float. During the parade the deer and the back polar bear will be rotating.

Clowns Love A Parade

 

There are always lots of clowns at the Santa Claus Parade some on this float but a lot marching alongside all the floats during the parade. They are all happy clowns, no scary ones.

Warming Up

 

To help people stay warm before and during the Santa Claus Parade, Tim Horton's had set up several kiosks where you could get free coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies. Tim Horton's is a national coffee and donut chain that seems to have a store on every other corner all across the country. This was the view in Christie Pits 2 hours before the parade began. The hot chocolate was wonderful!

Working Hard

 

The creatures on this float from the Santa Claus Parade will be working hard once the parade begins as they run luggage through the conveyor belts. The floats  in the parade are all sponsored and this one is from the folks at Billy Bishop airport which is a small airport right downtown by the lake so hence the luggage.

Leading The Way

 

The lead off float for our Santa Claus Parade is traditionally Mother Goose and this is the new Mother Goose which appeared last year replacing a float which was very old. It seems suitable to have a Canada Goose as they seem to be everywhere these days. That is Christie Pits park in the background. During the parade there will be kids sitting on those stools on the float.