The Calgary Stampede Show Band hopes to come to Fort Macleod.
The Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade is shaping up to be a seasonal treat for the ears.
Seven marching bands and one jazz band have indicated they would like to take part in the parade on Saturday. Nov. 30.
“We are gearing up to have another spectacular parade,” Santa Claus Parade co-ordinator Ashley Nelson said last week.
The challenge for the parade committee is paying for all the bands.
The committee must find $28,000 to cover the bands’ transportation and honorarium.
“I’d love to be able to confirm with all seven of these bands that we can cover these costs, but we rely on donations from our community members and businesses for this event to be possible and so far, donations are low,” Nelson said.
The 180-member Calgary Stampede Show Band, the 170-member Calgary Round Up Band, the 145-member Calgary Stetson Show Band confirmed their participation in the Santa Claus Parade.
Also confirmed are the 160-member Our Lady of the Rockies High School marching band, the 52-member Chestermere High School marching band, the 50-member Cardston High School band and the 10-member Bridge City Highlanders bagpipes band.
The 24-member Lethbridge Collegiate Institute (LCI) jazz band last week expressed interest in participating in the parade.
“These bands love having this opportunity to come perform and show off their hard work for us,” Nelson said. “Their music — which includes over 750 instruments on Fort Macleod’s Main Street — truly makes our parade unique and enjoyable for all of our spectators.”
“The more bands, the better the show in my opinion, but that also means more cost involved.”
The Santa Claus Parade committee will pay out more than $28,000 for transportation and a small honorarium for the bands.
Nelson said that total exceeds what the committee typically includes in its budget for the bands.
“My appeal is to all those who love this annual tradition we have here in Fort Macleod of hosting the largest Santa Claus Parade west of Toronto, to please consider donating to ensure that we can continue to cover the costs associated with this amazing event,” Nelson said.
The Santa Claus Parade committee can accept e-transfers payable to santaclausparade@fortmacleod.com.
Cheques can be mailed to P.O. Box 928, Fort Macleod or dropped off at The Macleod Gazette. If you would like a tax receipt ensure your cheque is made out to the Town of Fort Macleod.
Sponsors donating more than $500 will be recognized with a banner in the parade and other advertising.
The Fort Macleod Lions Club is also running a 50/50 cash raffle benefiting the parade and tickets can be purchased on-line at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/fort-macleod-lions.
The parade committee has received about 30 registrations already of floats, antique cars, horses, fire trucks and more, and will be accepting more right up until the day of the parade.
For information on how to register, contact Ashley Nelson at 403-715-2125 or santaclausparade@fortmacleod.com.
The Calgary Stampede Show Band hopes to come to Fort Macleod.
