The 40th Fort Macleod Santa Claus Parade weekend promises to deliver plenty of fun for the entire family.
The parade committee and Chamber of Commerce have laboured hard to provide two days of activity on Friday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Nov. 25.
“Ultimately we want the community come out and have fun and enjoy the festivities afterwards,” Santa Claus Parade co-ordinator Sydney Tobler said. “We want them to stay out with their families and enjoy the weekend.”
Fort Macleod is planning an expanded weekend of activities surrounding the Santa Claus Parade.
The festivities start Friday, Nov. 24 with the Moonlight Madness late-night shopping promotion organized by the Chamber of Commerce.
Christmas Market
The Fort Macleod Lions will hold their annual Christmas Market on the weekend at Holy Cross Hall.
The market runs from 12 noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Free supper
The Town of Fort Macleod and council will serve a free stew or hot dog supper at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the Devonian Walkway to the first 500 people.
Giant Craft Sale
The Allied Arts Council will host its annual Giant Craft Sale from 5-9 p.m. in the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall.
The sale also runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free skating
There will be free skating at the Fort Macleod and District Sports Centre beginning at 5:45 p.m.
Fort Macleod Library
The library is a hub of activity from 5:30-9 p.m. on Friday, with face-painting, hot chocolate, coffee, popcorn and crafts for children.
Tickets will be on sale for the Friends of the Library Society 50-50 raffle.
Fort Macleod Health Care Auxiliary Association will be in attendance to promote its Tree of Hope fund-raiser.
The activities at the library continue on Saturday.
Main Street fun
There will be fun for everyone on Main Street on Friday night.
Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic in the interests of pedestrian safety.
There will be plenty to eat and drink with free hot chocolate, s’mores, popcorn and soft drinks being served.
A petting zoo will be set up on Main Street, along with fire pits to keep warm.
There will be crafts and games for children, and weather-permitting a bouncy castle will be set up.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints choir will be on Main Street beginning at 5:30 p.m. to sing seasonal songs.
Doran Degenstein will hitch up his team to provide sleigh rides throughout the evening.
Free Movie
The Empress Theatre will screen a free movie at 8 p.m.
Tree lighting
The scene shifts to the west end of Main Street at 7:30 p.m. for seasonal music, followed by the lighting of the community Christmas tree.
A light show on the tree will follow.
Legion dance
The Fort Macleod Legion opens its doors Friday at 8 p.m. for a dance, with music by The Chevelles.
Pancake breakfast
The Class of 2024 at F.P. Walshe school will be up early Saturday, Nov. 25 to serve a pancake breakfast from 8-10 a.m.
The pancake breakfast in the parking lot at the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue, next to The Macleod Gazette is a fund-raiser for the grad class.
Santa Claus Parade
The parade, which this year has the theme “40 Years of Christmas” gets under way at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
The parade lines up on Second Avenue and heads north to Main Street, where it turns west. At Sixth Avenue the parade turns south, ending at 22nd Street.
Pictures With Santa
Following the parade people can get a free 4×6-inch photo with Santa at the Fort Museum.
While at the Fort Museum, people have the chance to decorate Christmas cookies.
More fun on Main Street
Main Street will remain closed following the parade until 2 p.m. between Second and Third avenues so people can enjoy sleigh rides offered by Doran Degenstein.
Indie the Buffalo and rider Joel Lybbert, as well as the reindeer from the parade, will remain to meet with people.
Music on Main
Garth McCrady and Friends will provide music on Main Street from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Children’s games
FCSS will be on Main Street to facilitate games and sleigh or wagon races for children.
Free movie
There will be a free screening of the Christmas movie Polar Express at 2 p.m. at the Empress Theatre.
Rotary Club auction
There is a new location for the annual Rotary Club fund-raising auction at 2 p.m.
The Rotary Club will hold its auction in the gymnasium at the G.R. Davis Administration Building.
Family dance
The weekend wraps up with a family dance Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Donations in support of the parade will be accepted at the Town of Fort Macleod office in the G.R. Davis Administration Building, by Sydney Tobler and committee members, or on the Chamber of Commerce Web site.
Committee members are Emily McTighe, Helma Hart, Eileen Moses, Jody Gillingham, Ashley Nelson, Neisa Baker, Liisa Gillingham, Joella Bevan and Brandy Sharma.
The weather forecast at present is favourable for the Santa Claus Parade and other activities, with a high of seven Celsius forecast.
