Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade opts for broadcast-only event again
For the second year in a row, Santa Claus will not be marching through the streets of Toronto.
Organizers announced Friday that the 117th Original Santa Claus Parade will be a broadcast-only event this year.
"We are disappointed and I'm sure there are many members of the public who are disappointed," Clay Charters, the president and chief executive officer of the parade, told CP24 Friday afternoon.
"We've been looking forward to returning to the street. We continue to look forward to returning to the street, and we know that we'll be back on the streets celebrating the holidays with Torontonians in 2022. And in the meantime, we know we've got a great show lined up that will be beamed right into everyone's home so they can celebrate the start of the holiday season on December 4th."
Charters said the decision not to hold the parade in person this year was made several weeks ago, given the time needed to plan for the event.
He noted that his organization took into consideration several factors in its decision, including children under 11 years old are still not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and parade organizers would not be able to control access, check vaccination status and enforce physical distancing rules and proper masking.
On Friday, the Ontario government announced it intends to allow for greater capacity at organized public events such as Santa Claus parades but has not provided further details.
Robin Martin, the MPP for Eglinton-Lawrence, wrote a letter to Charters on Friday, asking him to reconsider the parade's decision and proceed with an in-person celebration.
"Not only are the vast majority of Torontonians now vaccinated, but public health and health indicators are stable. The chief medical officer of health has said there is minimal risk associated with individuals and families gathering at outdoor events, so long as basic public measures are adhered to, including masking when distancing cannot be maintained," Martin wrote.
"Our province's plan to safely reopen provides Ontarians with more certainty around getting back to doing the things they love. I hope we can work together to ensure that includes this year's Santa Claus Parade."
The parade, held since 1905, usually marks the official start of the holiday season in Toronto. Downtown streets would be filled with thousands of spectators, primarily excited children wanting a glimpse of St. Nick.
The parade typically features colourful floats, bands and hundreds of Santa’s marchers.
In 2020, the Santa Claus Parade did not hold its outdoor spectacle for the first time in its 116th year history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade was pre-recorded at Canada’s Wonderland and aired in a two-hour primetime special.
Charters said he is excited for the public to see what they have in store for the 117th edition of the parade. He added that there will see "return to some normalcy in the parade."
"We're gonna have all the bands that you'd be able to watch. We're gonna have some great musical performances and guests," Charters said.
"And then obviously some new floats which we'll keep under wraps for a little bit of time and let people get excited to see them. And we hope that everyone will enjoy the broadcast."
You can catch this year's Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. on CP24, CTV and CTV2.
CP24 and CTV are divisions of Bell Media.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Early results from London, U.K., suggest Labour's Sadiq Khan will secure a record third term as mayor
Sadiq Khan, the Labour Party's mayor of London, appeared Saturday to be romping to victory as results from the capital pour in.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.