Vancouver Santa Claus parade marks 35th anniversary of Marathon of Hope

VANCOUVER – The father of Marathon of Hope runner Terry Fox has been named grand marshal of Vancouver’s 12th annual Santa Claus parade.

Organizers have announced Rolly Fox will lead the annual parade that kicks off the holiday season in Vancouver and attracts 300,000 spectators to the downtown core.

Fox was selected to honour the 35th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope as well as the tremendous work done by the Terry Fox Foundation to raise money for cancer research.

The announcement came as Santa Claus and parade participants, including members of the Vancouver Food Bank Society, hung the last of the 300 street banners along the parade route.

More than 3,500 people on floats and in marching bands, choirs and community groups, will take part in the parade, slated for Dec. 6 at 1 p.m.

Spectators are urged to bring cash or a non-perishable food donation because, since 2004, the Santa Claus parade has helped raise more than $140,000 and 34,000 kilograms of food for the Food Bank and Lower Mainland families in need.