Murray Wood: Who's being fooled this April 1?
Murray Wood says every day is April Fools Day in the disinformation age and, as ever, some people will never believe the...
Santa made a flying visit to Saskatchewan this weekend.
Rain fell on the man in red at his appearance at Midale’s annual parade on Saturday but didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, and he was planning to make a star appearance at annual parades in both Regina and Saskatoon on Sunday, where the weather was supposed to be seasonally cold with no precipitation.
Read more:
- Sask. winter announces arrival with freezing drizzle, snow
- Operation Red Nose set to launch in Saskatoon, P.A., Battlefords on Nov. 30
The North Pole dweller, also known as Father Christmas and Kris Kringle, will be accompanied by an unknown number of elves as many had to remain behind in Santa’s workshop finishing up orders for the big event on Dec. 25.
Ahead of both parades, Santa wanted children in Saskatchewan know that he is still compiling a naughty and nice list so all should be on their best behaviour, whether they attend the parades or not.
He also wanted to remind people that even he cannot control the weather and that they should bundle up warmly wherever they are.
“I’m never without a warm hat,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s parades:
The route for Saskatoon Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 17, 2024. (Saskatoon Santa Claus Parade/submitted)
Saskatoon Santa Claus Parade
The 33rd annual parade will begin in Saskatoon on Sunday at 1 p.m. starting on 19th Street and running to Midtown Mall. Around 30 floats are expected to take part.
“Santa might be missing a little bit of the snow this year for the Santa Claus parade (in Saskatoon), but it should be an okay weekend to get out there with the kids,” Christy Climenhaga, meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said on Friday.
The weather will be most cloudy and chilly, with a southwest wind driving wind chill to minus 8 in the morning, ECCC said on Saturday, and a number of warm-up stations will be set up, with many offering specials on hot drinks and snacks — and even free hot chocolate. Find a list of warmup stations here.
Spadina Crescent will be closed between Avenue A and Avenue G starting at 8 a.m. for the parade.
The City of Saskatoon also said additional event road restrictions would include:
- 19th Street between Avenue A and 3rd Avenue
- 3rd Avenue between 19th and 22nd streets
- 20th Street between Idylwyld Drive and 4th Avenue
- 4th Avenue between 20th and 22nd streets
- 22nd Street between Pacific and 4th avenues
- 1st Avenue between the Idylwyld ramp and 22nd Street
The city also said that road closures will be lifted as the parade clears each road and all roadways will all would reopen after 3 p.m. “barring any unforeseen circumstances”.
Regina’s Santa Claus Parade
The Regina Santa Claus Parade is back for it’s 38th year in 2024, and Santa is thrilled about the more than 50 businesses and community groups who will have floats at the event.
He was also excited about 980 CJME’s Santas Anonymous charity toy drive, on until Dec. 11, and appreciated all the efforts from people in the Queen City to help him put toys under the Christmas tree.
The parade kicks off at 12 p.m. from Wheaton Kia, and ends at the Northgate Mall on Albert Street North.
There’s also a special surprise happening during the parade right at noon, and organizers say people should have their phones ready for the magical surprise.
Amidst the Canada Post strike, a team of volunteers will be collecting letters to Santa beind the Wheaton Kia float, so keep an eye out for them. They will be wearing messenger bags.
Sections of Albert Street North and surrounding streets will be closed to traffic in advance of the parade, the City of Regina said.
Regina’s own Village Lightning rock band will be performing and bringing holiday cheer to the iconic parade, and dancers from Collective Studios will also be in attendance grooving through the event.
— with files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk, and 980 CJME’s Nicole Garn
Read more:
