It’s that time of the year again.
There’s a nip in the air and the season has advanced to the point where Christmas carols don’t seem out of place any longer.
It’s also the time of year when folks in Sooke begin looking forward to a night of fun when the Sooke Santa Parade takes to the street in a celebration of the season.
The parade, scheduled for the evening of Sunday, Dec. 2, is the work of the Sooke Lions Club and this year the event promises to be better than ever.
The parade takes place in the evening in order to showcase the decorative street lights and Christmas décor in the town’s core. The later start improves the visibility of the floats and those groups who festoon themselves in lights to march in the parade.
Steve Lawrence, one of the Lions club volunteers organizing the event, ran through his to-do list regarding the parade and noted that, even though the parade may not be as long as similar events in larger centres, the Sooke parade is just as large in spirit.
“This is an event when the whole community either comes out to participate or to watch and join in the fun,” said Lawrence.
The parade will assemble at Sooke Elementary School parking lot at 4 p.m. and at 5 p.m. will travel to the Evergreen Mall where the tree lighting ceremony will take place.
“It’s only about a one-kilometre route, but people really look forward to it,” said Lawrence.
“And of course we’ll have Santa there as the guest of honour, so that’s a lot of fun.”
Lawrence noted that the jolly old elf tends to avoid the use of a sled when he comes to Sooke and has, in the past, travelled in a variety of vehicles, including a sailboat.
“This year, I believe he’ll be travelling in a 1942 classic fire truck,” he said.
After the tree lighting Santa will join the kids at the mall where they will share some hot chocolate, hot dogs and cookies, and even take a few photos.
Lawrence said that parade organizers are still accepting applications for floats and other participants in the parade.
“We’re still looking for a band for the event, but if we have to go to canned music, that’s okay too,” he said
“It’s all about having some fun.”
mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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