With a high of 11 Celsius in the forecast, Saturday, Nov. 26 is shaping up to be a great day for the 39th Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade.
Craft sales
The day begins at 9 a.m. when the Fort Macleod Lions Club reopens their Christmas Market at the Holy Cross Hall.
The Christmas Market continues until 4 p.m.
The Allied Arts Council of Fort Macleod also continues its Giant Craft Sale on Saturday.
The Giant Craft Sale resumes at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. at the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall.
The Santa Claus Parade, of course, is the focus of the weekend, and it gets under way at 11 a.m.
Nine bands in parade
The parade begins on Second Avenue, crosses the one-way to turn east of Main Street, where it continues to Sixth Avenue.
Nine bands have confirmed their participation in the parade, ensuring the event will have a lively sound track.
The Calgary Stampede Band will march on Saturday, as will the Calgary Stetson Band and the Calgary Round Up Band.
High school bands taking part are Chestermere, Highwood school in High River, Cardston and Bishop Grandin Marching Ghosts from Calgary.
Bridge City Highlanders Pipe and Bugle Band will march, and the Spirit of Magrath band will take part.
Entries were still coming in Tuesday, and it is shaping up to be an exciting parade.
Following the parade, Santa Claus and his reindeer will set up shop at the Welcome Mat and Devonian Walkway to pose with children for photos and to listen to their wish lists.
Free children’s movie
Three organizations are joining forces to sponsor a free movie at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Empress Theatre.
The Empress Theatre Society, the Fort Macleod branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and Family and Community Support Services are presenting the movie The Grinch.
Rotary auction
The Rotary Club of Fort Macleod is resurrecting its fund-raising auction following a two-year absence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to strong response from local businesses and individuals, the Rotary Club has a great selection of items to auction, beginning at 2 p.m. at Fort Macleod Midnight Stadium Agriplex.
Family dance
The weekend wraps up Saturday night with the family dance sponsored by Hand In Hand Out of School Care.
The dance runs from 6-8 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
