FERGUS – The Christmas season gets off to a rockin’ start in Fergus on Dec. 7 with the Fergus Santa Claus Parade.
But because of construction on St. David Street North, the route will be slightly different this year.
Floats assemble at 12:30pm at the A.O. Smith parking lot on Hill Street West and the parade starts at 1:30pm.
It heads south on Maple Street to St. Andrew St. West, east on St. Andrew to St. David, and south on St. David to Albert Street, where the parade will disperse.
“We’ve warned people they’ll have to find their way back to A.O. Smith on their own,” said Dennis Culbert, a Fergus Lion and one of the parade organizers.
Young hockey players wave to the folks lining the streets during the 2023 parade; Advertiser file photos
The parade is a joint venture between the Fergus Lions, Kinsmen and Optimist clubs – a partnership that’s gone very well, Culbert said.
By the end of November there were 29 floats and three bands registered, “and that’s ahead of where we usually are at this time,” he said. “I think it’s going well.”
While pre-registration is preferred, it’s also okay to show up on parade day and the parade marshal will find a spot for you. Just get there before the parade commences.
“I like to see the different floats coming together,” Culbert said, adding viewers get a real feel for the community by seeing the sports groups, service clubs, businesses and others who enter a float in the parade.
There are prizes for the three best business floats and the three best walking groups.
There is no entry fee.
Dancers in festive PJs, and more. To find out who will show up this year to the Fergus Santa Claus Parade, people will have to come out on Dec. 7. The parade gets underway at 1:30pm.
Advertiser file photos
Volunteers are also welcome. They can just show up too, but it’s better for organizers to know they have enough. Call Culbert at 519-994-0909 to volunteer.
Volunteers help with registration and putting up road barricades. Culbert said many high school students have signed on to get their volunteer hours.
Culbert said the parade is a fun way for the community to mix before the weather gets nasty and people go indoors for winter.
“It’s shaping up to be a great parade,” he said.
