The Rotary Clubs of Brockville, along with City of Brockville officials and employees, have spoken with Santa and Mrs. Claus and they said that this was one of the best parades they ever attended!
Upwards of 10,000 spectators took in the sounds, colours and lights in downtown Brockville, Ontario for about 2-1/2 hours as the 2023 Brockville Santa Clause Parade moved past them.
This year's parade chair Ken Holliday was proud to share,"The weather for the night cooperated and we had 90 entries, with 1,278 participants, 3 bands, 104 vehicles, and 53 dogs spanning a distance of 2.2 km!
We are so pleased with the the perfomance of 50+ volunteers, including Rotarians and a group of 17, St. Lawrence College, Pre-Service Firefighter Program Students.
2023 Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade Poster 8.5 x 11
2023 Brockville Rotary Santa Claus Parade Poster 11 x 17
2023 Interview with Cogeco YourTV
This year's theme is "Christmas Fun and Games".
To help with your creative process, we have listed the following subcategories for you to work from:
This list is only a rough guide to get you started. Let your imagination snowball with your float design, and feel free to combine themes (e.g. classic toy characters building a snowman or baking cookies). Remember to add colourful festive lights for this nighttime parade (but no strobes please). Music is also an option, especially if it relates closely to your design theme. Put on your thinking toques -- or ugly Christmas sweaters --- and have fun!
Last year's parade was a welcomed returned to a post-COVID-19 "back to the norm" and we are anticipating upwards of 100 entries this year.
The entries could be pulled by vehicles, walking, riding, bands, animals, chorists and clowns, all with the theme of a Christmas Fun and Games in mind.
This is a reminder for you to bring your Letters to Santa. Thanks to Canada Post again this year for offering to pick up the Letters to Santa.
Click on this link to go to Canada Post's web page for help on how to address your letter! Write a letter to Santa
Visit this site often, as it is continually being updated with new information.
As with any large event, traffic congestion can always turn something special into something frustrating, unless you plan ahead.
To maintain the safety of the visitors, no parking will be available on the parade route.
Please see the "Road Closures" section below for important details necessary to plan your route to the area.
We recommend that you consider walking and leaving your vehicle at home or further away from the downtown core.
This will leave spaces available for visitors who may have difficulty managing the extended distances.
Click To Expand MapThe parade will begin on North Augusta Road at Pearl Steet, continue South to King Street then turn right (West) on King Street and continue to Gilmore Street at Rotary Park.
Click To Expand MapThe deadline to complete registration was Wednesday, November 22, 2023 7:00 p.m.
There was NO cost to register your entry into the parade.
Due to parade day logistics, anyone arriving without having registered on-line prior to the deadline, will be refused entry into this year's parade.
The River of Lights is a COVID-19 safe holiday light display on Blockhouse Island which includes thousands of twinkle lights and flood lights set to music. The show is approximately 40 minutes in length before repeating the Set. Tune your car radio to 88.1FM and enjoy the show from the comfort of your vehicle. The first and final hours each night display a static light show (no music), while between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm each night the light and sound show will run in a loop, making the trees dance with lights as a mix of contemporary music and classic holiday tunes entertain you.
The show runs nightly from November 25, 2023 to January 2, 2024 from 5pm-11pm.
Please visit the River of Lights website for more details.
The following is a list of road closures which will remain in effect on Nov 25, 2023 from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. during the event.
Volunteers will be taking the barricades down as soon as it is safe to do so as the end of the parade passes each intersection.
Click To Open Detour RouteThank you to ALL of the volunteers which helped to make this parade a reality. It truely would not have happened without you!
Even the elves need help from time to time.
Consider making a tax-deductable donation so that we can keep the parade going!
Please click on the donate button if you are ready to donate now.
Thank you to ALL of this year's sponsors. Their generosity in a community of our size speaks volumes!
We hope everyone considers these special businesses first for your next purchase or meal out.
Downtown Brockville
Brockville, ON, Canada
© 2023, Ken Holliday, All Rights Reserved