2020 Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade

Intro

It's that time of year again and even though the world feels like a completely different place than it did at this time last year, some things never change. Well, maybe just a little.

Your Rotary Clubs of Brockville, along with the many City of Brockville officials and employees have finally managed to get ahold of Santa and Mrs. Claus and together, we have come up with a way to keep the tradition going with a priority on COVID-19 and public safety.

Time, Date and Location

The official time and date for this year's "Static Parade" is from 5:00 pm for personal vehicles and City Transit buses will begin at 6:00 until 9:00 pm on Saturday November 28, 2020 at Blockhouse Island.

IMPORTANT: Please read further to determine where you need line up to gain entry. For safety reasons, NO ONE outside the organizing committe or volunteers will be permitted to walk through any area associated with the Water Street parking lot or the immediate area of Blockhouse Island Parkway. Everyone MUST remain in their vehicle or the bus throughout the route.

this year's theme

This year's theme is "Santa's Workshop".

We understand how important it is for everyone to stay safe and maintain social distancing. During the Old Normal, upwards of 100 floats would journey through the parade route in downtown Brockville. For this event to remain safe for all participants, residents and visitors in our community, we had to switch things around a little.

This year, the venues (which we used to call floats) will not be moving. Rather, the visitors will be the parade and will drive or be driven around the parade route.

The venues will all be located in the center of the Water Street parking lot.

Maybe, you might consider decorating your vehicle with something seasonal?????

Visit this site often as it is continually being updated with new information.

personal vehicle traffic

At 5:00 pm Vehicles will be allowed to enter south bound at King Street West and Broad Street with direction from the Brockvile Police Service.

Traffic will then continue south bound and turn left (east) onto Water Street West.

Traffic will be directed to turn right (south) onto Blockhouse Island Parkway.

Vehicles will be directed to turn right (west) into the Water Street parking lot from Blockhouse Island Parkway then take an immediate right again.

A short distance later, a left turn will allow you to drive along the north end of the lot, around the west end then along the south side, towards the exit of lot, all the time safely viewing, floats/venues out the left side windows of the vehicle.

Vehicles will then be directed to turn right (south) to Blockhouse Island where they will be able to circle the perimeter and safely view the spectacular "River of Lights" sound and light show on the left.

As the vehicles turn the south east corner of Blockhouse Island, get ready to wave and say "Hi" to Santa and Mrs. Claus again, on the left!

Don't forget to also wave at Rudolf and possibly some of the other visiting reindeer, who may be grazing or resting, in the reserved VIP reindeer parking lot.

Vehicles will now proceed, north bound on Blockhouse Island Parkway, and slowly make there way back to the entrance at Water Street then turn right to exit the area.

Vehicles will be able to exit from Water Street East by turning left (north) on Bethune, Park or Orchard Steets.

As the final vehicle must be departing Blockhouse Island by 9:00 pm, it is estimated that the Brockvile City Staff will be closing the entrance to the line-up at approximately 8:30 pm so it is advised that you keep this in mind when planning your arrival time.

Rotary volunteers will be setup to come to your vehicle and collect any gifts, food or monetary donations as well as Letters to Santa". We encourage everyone to wear masks throughout the route.

Please remember to observe safe driving practices and follow the requests from the volunteers directing traffic as it is the goal of the entire 2020 Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade organizing committee to ensure that all visitors, following these guidelines, have a great experience at this years event.

pedestrians

As noted above, to conform to local COVID-19 guidelines, no pedestrians will be allowed in the Water Street parking lot, the road and walkways leading to, or on Blockhouse Island.

From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., pedestrians will be able to start boarding Brockville City Transit buses, free of charge, to be able to view the venues, the River of Lights sound and light show, Santa and Mrs Claus in his Workshop and finally Rudolf and friends.

PLEASE LINE UP on Market Street West at The Sweet Life Café & Service Ontario wearing your face mask, where Rotary volunteers will meet you.

A maximum of 8 people will allowed on each bus.

Face Masks are mandatory at all times and anyone not complying will be asked to leave the area.

As the bus turns at the south east corner of Blockhouse Island, get ready to wave and say "Hi" to Santa and Mrs. Claus, on the left! Don't forget to also wave at Rudolf and maybe some of the other visiting reindeer, who may be grazing or resting, in the reserved VIP reindeer parking lot.

Buses are also equipped to take passengers in wheel chairs.

Please note that the YELLOW bus service will also be free of charge on Saturday, November 28th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

river of lights

As traffic starts to enter the 2020 Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade area, visitors will begin to hear and see the beautifully choreographed sound and River of Lights show.

Beginning Saturday, November 28, 2020 at 5:00 pm Operating each night from 5 PM to approximately 11 PM 7 days per week until Saturday January 2, 2021

The show is hosted by Brockville Ontario, Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Brockville.

River of Lights is a Covid-19 safe holiday light display on Blockhouse Island which includes more than 35,000 lights set to music. This attraction is designed to both entertain our residents and visitors as well as to attract them to downtown Brockville in hopes while here those visitors will also support local Brockville businesses this holiday season.

Please visit the River of Lights website for more details.