Santa Claus is Coming to Town… At Last

This marks the third year I have had the pleasure of hosting the Santa Claus parade in Scugog, and I am really looking forward to it. The main reason for my excitement is, the parade will be live, on the street, in our town, where everyone can see it.

To say the pandemic has disrupted our lives is an understatement. The organizer of the parade, the Scugog Chamber of Commerce, has had difficulty making decisions on how to best welcome Santa to town.

Thankfully, the provincial government has set out strict guidelines, which we can adhere to and still enjoy the festiveness of the season. Therefore, it has been decreed by the Township of Scugog and the North Pole; Santa will once again be atop his sleigh, drawn by his eight reindeer.

More than two dozen floats and many other surprises will make their way along Simcoe Street to Queen Street and then along Water Street to Mary Street, where it will end.

I will be hosting the event for Rogers TV and a YouTube episode, and my guest host this year will be Jillian Howsam-Adomeit, a director with the Chamber. We will have interviews with dignitaries, and we have secured a visit from Santa himself, who, I might add, is extremely excited about coming to Port Perry.

The event will be broadcast on RogersTV, the Chamber’s YouTube channel and the Chamber’s website (scugogchamber.ca), starting a few days after and running until Christmas. Everyone is invited to come out and line the streets on December 4th, to catch a glimpse of the spectacle and wave to Santa himself. (Please keep social distancing and masks in mind.)

When I spoke with the jolly guy yesterday, he asked me to remind all the boys and girls to send their letters to him, at Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H0H0. He asked us to use Canada Post the, as his helpers are so busy this year at the North Pole, they will not be enough to pick up letters along the parade route.

I am so excited to be part of this wonderful event and am looking forward to seeing all of you on December 4th in downtown Port Perry. Drop by and say hello.

Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award-winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. Watch his show, ‘Jonathan van Bilsen’s photosNtravel’, on Rogers TV, the Standard Website or YouTube.

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