MOUNT FOREST – It’s not Christmas Eve, but it will be “the night before Christmas” when people gather for the v on Dec. 6.
That’s the theme of this year’s parade, which is organized by the Mount Forest Lions Club.
And it will indeed be a night event, as it has been since “forever,” said parade chair Emma Jeffries.
The Friday night event gets underway at 7pm, and will follow the same route as previous years, with floats staging at the old arena – or Mount Forest Victory Church – and taking King Street to Main Street, Jeffries said. The procession then heads north, ending near the fire hall.
“There’s no bad spot” from which to watch, Jeffries said, noting people typically line up along either side of Main Street to take in the spectacle.
As pre-registration is not required, she couldn’t say for sure how many floats might be part of the event.
“Usually our parade size sits between 60 and 70 floats,” she said.
The parade’s highest participation was before the COVID-19 pandemic, and numbers have yet to climb back up to those levels, Jeffries said.
Band participation also waned in the pandemic era.
“Before COVID, the parade would have at least five bands,” Jeffries said. “Now I’m lucky if I can get three or four.”
Nonetheless, she confirmed there will be music.
The Milverton Brass Band, which has been coming to the Mount Forest parade for “probably well over 10 years,” will be there, she said.
While not exactly a marching band, the Owen Sound Lions Twirlettes are another musical act of sorts that will be joining the parade. They come with batons, drums and dance moves to entertain the crowds, Jeffries said.
While they have not yet confirmed their participation, she said the Mount Forest Cameron Highlanders, a local pipe and drum band, also often show up.
The most important parade participant – the man in red – has confirmed he’ll be there, Jeffries said.
“Santa makes a special trip to Mount Forest just for the parade,” she said.
He’ll have a microphone, and he often takes the opportunity to greet kids by name and ask them if they’ve been good this year, she said.
Getting his float ready alongside fellow Lions club members is one of the highlights of the parade for Jeffries, who has chaired the event for four years.
The club gets together to decorate Santa’s float as well as another for the Lions Club. They gather indoors in space provided by Canadian Flat Roofing Systems, and enjoy snacks and drinks while they work, Jeffries said.
“It’s just good camaraderie,” she said.
Her second favourite part is seeing her work completed, when all the floats and participants are in order and on their way.
“I really enjoy watching all the parade floats roll out,” she said.
When the parade is all over, people are invited to head to the fire hall and warm up with some hot chocolate and cookies.
