Santa wows Metro
Published Monday December 1st, 2008
Crowd of over 100,000 lines Main Street for Majesta Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade
There aren't many people who have the clout of shutting down a stretch of the busy city street and furthermore have thousands of spectators show up to cheer them on for doing it. Then again, there aren't too many people who carry the power Santa Claus does.
As such, portions of Moncton's Main Street and Dieppe's Champlain Street were turned into an expressway of season's greetings Saturday evening, when the 41st annual Majesta Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade took over the road.
Dave Leaman, the parade's marshal, said this year's event once again left him stunned, first by the more than 100 floats included in the event but also by the crowds enthusiastic turnout.
"My estimation is that there were somewhere between 140,000 to 150,000 people watching," said Leaman. "What a phenomenal crowd, what a great day. It was just fantastic."
Even the weather co-operated for Santa's big debut in Metro. While calling the weather balmy and mild would have been a bit of a stretch (it was a cloudy Saturday evening with temperatures at 1C (34F), it was certainly less chilly and wet than past year's events. Just ask Pierre Pelletier, who's become quite famous during the last few parades for taking a bath on the Olivier Soapery parade entry.
"It's always cold and even this year was cold," said Pierre. "But for sure this year it was a little bit warmer than last year. I remember last year was particularly cold."
Pierre does have a strategy for getting the body heat going.
"The more yelling I'm doing and the more people are into it and following me, it gives me energy."
And contrary to what many might believe Pelletier doesn't have any electric heaters with him in the float, just a thin mesh suit which cuts some of the bitter cold. But Pierre said it's the people who make all the difference.
"When people laugh and get into it, that gives me a boost to continue," said Pierre.
Many of the parade entries featured impressive Christmas light displays and figures with made use of a full imagination. It all madding a striking impression to Jessie Harris, 15, of Moncton, who found many of her favourite things wrapped up in the one event.
"I like parades, I like Santa and I like colours," she said. "I just like this."
Finding a spot to take in all these features street side wasn't particularly an easy task as thousands of people stretched along the parade route from Cameron and Main Street in Moncton to the Champlain Place shopping centre in Dieppe. Many kids took the mini snow banks left behind on the sidewalks and, with a little creativity, molded makeshift snow couches for the event. Meanwhile, parents of younger tots hoisted their children on their shoulder so they could get a better look at the man in red when he finally did pass by. Those who weren't on the street could be seen peaking from the windows of city hotels along Main Street and from Metro's tallest building, Assumption Place.
Perhaps the best view of the parade was from directly over Main Street via the skywalk pedway connecting Moncton City Hall to the Blue Cross Building. The 'Christmas in the Pedway' event once again welcomed patients from the pediatric units inside the Moncton Hospital and the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital to watch the parade in the style.
"We have these walk ways over Main Street and we have these kids who probably couldn't get out to see the parade because they're sick and they can't be out in the elements," said Jamie McGloin, a member of the Greater Moncton Men's Progress Club and one of the event's organizers. "A couple of calls were made and the club discovered they could do this."
The event has been happening since 2001, and the special guests were taken to the pedway party by volunteers at Codiac Transit who were escorted by Codiac RCMP. While in the pedway, the kids were given the VIP treatment with pizza, gift bags, an opportunity to hang out with some of the Moncton Wildcat players, plus a great view of the parade from above. A total of 42 kids were special guests of the event along with their families.
Moncton Mayor George LeBlanc said it's the coming together of many groups, all for the purpose of celebrating the season and making kids smile, which always makes the holiday parade in Metro a success.
"That's why we have one of the biggest Santa Clause parades in North America," he said. "I can remember coming here when I was a kid and I brought my children to this. Of course, like everybody else, I'm really looking forward to seeing Santa."
Mr. Claus was without a doubt the most anticipated part of the parade, with his appearance saved for the event's finale. Before St. Nick made his appearance, volunteers from Tim Hortons were busy collecting letters from kids that would be delivered to Santa's North Pole workshop.
Connor Power made sure he had his list ready to go, sealed in an envelope and properly addressed.
"I asked for Lego, a Wii game and a whole bunch of other stuff," said the 10-year-old from Salisbury.
Waiting for Santa to drive by was filled with anticipation for Connor.
"I thought the parade was really good but it took a long time to see Santa come by," said Connor. "Then all of a sudden he appears and you're like 'yay' and then he's gone and you're like 'no.'"
Have no fear! Santa is due to return to Metro in 24 days during the early hours of Dec. 25, but until then, the weekend parade did wonders of getting people in the holiday spirit if they weren't already.
"It sets the mood and gets you into the spirit, it gets you going," said Connor's mother, Ronda McCready, who said her family makes it a point to come to the Metro Santa Claus parade each season, likely to be back next year.
Speaking of next year's parade, planning for the 42nd offering has already begun.
"We started working on next year's parade before we were finished with this one," said parade marshal Leaman, who wouldn't give too many more details of what might be in store for 2009.
On Sunday morning, a group of youths from the Vanier Air Cadets Squadron #650 and the Moncton Peewee Predators volunteered their time to pick up garbage left behind on the parade route.
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RV
Irregardless though, it seems poorly planned. The organizers should have known there are so many people in the 'staging area' and Santa should stage with everyone else.
Maybe an extension of the parade route is needed. There is such a large crowd it can be difficult to find a place to stand. Maybe it could stage at the YMCA and use part of Vaughan Harvey? The population of the city has outgrown it's old parade route.