Penticton Santa Claus parade accepting floats; volunteers

PENTICTON — Planning has started for Penticton's Santa Claus parade and organizers are accepting participant applications as well as volunteers.

The 21st annual Santa Claus parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m.

“The Santa Claus parade brings our community together in a special way," Lynn Allin, executive director of the Downtown Penticton Association says in a media release. "People in the procession have terrific fun – there’s music, people are waving and cheering, everyone’s smiling from ear to ear. It’s magical."

Allin adds the festive procession is a showcase for clubs, teams, organizations and businesses of all sizes from across Penticton and surrounding area.

“People young and old line Main Street to greet the parade participants and glimpse the honoured guests: Santa & Mrs Claus.”

Applications to join the parade have begun arriving at the downtown Penticton office. The deadline to apply is Friday, Nov. 23.

“So far applications are really diverse,” says Allin in the release. “Some groups are planning to drive decorated cars, some businesses are bringing trucks covered in lights, and some clubs and smaller groups will be riding bikes or simply walking together with a banner or branded clothing."

She adds that though planning is underway it takes many hands to pull off the parade, “we do need a few valuable volunteers to assist with marshalling, watching barricades at intersections, and keeping the parade moving in general."

Those who like being involved but don’t want to be in the parade are invited to call the Downtown Penticton Association at 250-493-8540 for more information. 

Groups interested in joining the procession will find the parade application form and information on the Downtown Penticton Association’s website. The $25 administration fee can be paid with a credit card over the phone during business hours.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Shelby Thevenot or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won’t censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.