By Jason Portras The Santa Claus Parade started at 12 noon this year on Saturday, deviating from its usual start time in the late afternoon and with a few unexpected problems. This earlier start made the lighting great for taking pictures, but unfortunately may have contributed to a disappointing turnout of floats and parade participants. Rumours abound as to the reasons a number of usual participants were absent, from A&W to Coopers to RMR, among the usual clubs and small businesses. There was clearly a lack of direction and organization as well, with large gaps between floats at times to the other extreme of floats and participants gone by too quickly, perhaps trying to catch up to those in front of them. The downtown streets were not barricaded and some surprised motorists had to slowly wind their way through parade spectators on more than a few occasions. With excited young children all around, it was a dangerous scenario. Fortunately, the crowds of onlookers took care of each other and the errant vehicle drivers remained calm. On the upside, the floats and participants who did enter the parade had a grand time and put on a great show, from the Jailhouse Rockin’ Home Hardware float to the surfing 2016 RSS Grad student. Huge smiles beamed across the faces lining the parade route. The biggest moment for the young ones certainly appeared to be the warm greetings and stickers they got from the various McDonald’s characters and Revelstoke Grizzlies. Santa brought up the tail-end of the parade, taking it easy on a rocker in the back of a shiny black F-350. Her are some photos of the parade that we hope you’ll enjoy: The Santa Claus Parade reaches the downtown core from its starting point at the Provincial Court House. Jason Portras photo The downtown streets were full of anticipation. Jason Portras photo The RCMP and the Revelstoke Fire Department led the parade. Jason Portras photo Big shiny Ladder 6 turns the corner from 1st to Mackenzie with sirens blaring and lights shining, like a big Christmas tree on wheels. Jason Portras photo Rudolph the Red-Nosed … Dog! Jason Portras photo All smiles from the Revelstoke Self-Advocacy Group. Jason Portras photo The Self-Advocacy Group’s float was a comfy trailer and tree. Jason Portras photo Followed up by some beloved McDonald’s characters, as well as some Grizzly Reindeer. Jason Portras photo Birdie high-fives a young spectator. Jason Portras photo Grizzlies #12 Ethan Waitzner hands out stickers to some very happy children. Jason Portras photo The Hamburglar was a big hit. Jason Portras photo The Grizz Sled is off again. Go Grizz! Jason Portras photo Revelstokians love their hometown team! Jason Portras photo Merry Christmas Revelstoke! Jason Portras photo The Pharmasave Elves hand out some good advice: ‘Keep Calm & Jingle On!’ Jason Portras photo Look at all that cuteness packed into the back of a tiny trailer. Jason Portras photo The Revelstoke Railway Museum put together two sweet train cars for their float. Jason Portras photo The RSS Grad Class of 2016 featured a surfing young man, which might not be too far off the cuff if Jason Roe’s Revelstoke Adventure Park gets off the ground. Jason Portras photo Our First Responders are an important part of our community. It was great to see all of them in the parade. Jason Portras photo The Home Hardware Jailhouse was a-rockin’! Jason Portras photo Volunteer Firefighter Glenn McTaggart steers his rig with a smile. Jason Portras photo Jacobson Ford’s Ken Zmaeff smiles as he chauffeurs Santa in a shiny black F-350. Jason Portras photo Ol’ Saint Nick’s new sleigh rounds the corner, driven by horsepower instead of reindeer power. Jason Portras photo Rest up, Big Man, you’ve got a huge job coming to fruition over the next few weeks! The kids are counting on you! Jason Portras photo Another parade done, but let’s hope for a crazy turnout next year from ALL the businesses in town and light up The Stoke List in a different way! Show us Revelstokians what ya got! Jason Portras photo Photos can be purchased and/or shared on Facebook (among other social media platforms) by visiting www.revelstoke-life-and-times.redframe.com For further information or if you have questions about these photos, please contact Jason Portras at jportras@telus.net
