Fort Macleod Lions Club is working to ensure the Santa Claus Parade has an outstanding sound-track.
The Lions have sponsored a 50-50 raffle to help cover the expense of bringing marching bands to the November celebration.
“We want to help out,” Lion Michelle Harris said. “We know that everyone enjoys the bands.”
Bands are a major component of the Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade held on the last Saturday of November.
The Calgary Stampede Band, the Calgary Stetson Band, Calgary Round Up Band, Bridge City Highlanders Pipes and Drums, Cardston high school band, Our Lady of the Rockies High school marching band, Lethbridge Collegiate Institute jazz band and Chestermere high school band all took part in the 2022 parade.
Bringing the bands to Fort Macleod is the biggest expense for the Santa Claus Parade committee.
Last year the committee paid $27,446 for the band’s travel and food.
In 2023, the committee has budgeted $30,000 based on expected increases in costs.
The Santa Claus Parade committee pays each band’s transportation costs and arranges for band members to be fed following the parade.
“We’re hoping to raise enough money to offset the cost of the bands,” Harris said.
The 40th Santa Claus Parade is set for Saturday, Nov. 25 with the theme “Celebrating 40 Years of Christmas.”
Raffle tickets are priced at $10 for one ticket; $20 for four tickets; $50 for 20 tickets; and $100 for 100 tickets.
The winning ticket will be drawn Monday, July 31 at the Welcome Mat.
Tickets are being sold through the on-line Raffelbox platform. The link is HERE
