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:
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