Parade co-ordinator Maria Sullivan
The Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade tradition will continue Saturday, Nov. 29, but a few details must be attended to before the big day.
Parade co-ordinator Maria Sullivan and the organizing committee need more volunteers and continued fund-raising to make the 42nd parade the best ever.
“The preparations are coming together amazingly well,” said Sullivan, who is in her first year as co-ordinator.
The 2025 parade has the theme “Home Alone Christmas,” after the popular Hollywood movie.
Five marching bands are confirmed for the parade and 50 entries have already been submitted.
The 180-member Calgary Stampede Show Band, the 170-member Calgary Round Up Band, the 145-member Calgary Stetson Show Band, the 160-member Our Lady of the Rockies High School marching band and the 52-member Chestermere high school band are confirmed.
Other bands have expressed interest but are yet to be confirmed.
Bringing those bands to Fort Macleod remains one of the biggest costs for the parade organizers, with an estimated tab of $28,000.
“We could use some more donations, because of the cost of the show bands,” Sullivan said.
That makes fund-raising an important part of parade preparations, and there are many ways to help out.
The Fort Macleod Lions Club is helping out with fund-raising through their annual raffle. Tickets can be purchased on-line at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/fort-macleod-lions or scanning the QR code on the poster.
The Vault is raffling a special $379 Home Alone Lego set, with tickets $1 apiece. Tickets can be purchased by scanning the QR code on the poster.
The Davis Auto Group will provide coffee and doughnuts in the Larson’s Tire parking lot the day of the parade as another fund-raiser.
The Fort Macleod Bottle Depot is accepting bottle donations in support of the Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade.
And some businesses are asking customers to round up their bills to donate to the parade, or are hosting donation boxes.
Volunteers are needed for the bucket brigade that canvasses the parade spectators for donations during the event.
“We are seeking an organization or a group of people, because we probably need about 20 people to carry the buckets,” Sullivan said.
Eden’s Funeral Home will have bleachers in their parking lot for spectators, and will have a table for donations to the parade.
People who donate $500 or more will have a banner that is carried during the parade.
A parade highlight is the return of Joel Lybbert, who will lead the parade aboard his buffalo Indy.
Also returning are Santa’s reindeer, who will be wrangled by members of the Fort Macleod 4-H Beef Club.
The reindeer will accompany Santa Claus to the Fort Museum following the parade for photos.
Coca-Cola is also bringing its Santa Caravan truck to the parade, and will be at Jon’s Independent Grocer afterwards for photos.
Sullivan is encouraging parade spectators to be a part of the magic by dressing in costume.
“We want to engage spectators to dress as a Home Alone character, a Christmas character or in a unique cosplay outfit,” Sullivan said. “We will have a draw for everyone who participates and pick a winner.”
The winner will receive a season pass to the Fort Macleod outdoor pool. People who want to enter can meet at the Empress Theatre right after the parade.
People interested in participating in the parade should submit their entries by Nov. 20.
To donate, volunteer, submit a parade entry or for information, contact Maria Sullivan at 403-715-2125 or santaclausparade@fortmacleod.com.
