It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg Saturday
CBC News | Posted: November 12, 2016 12:22 AM | Last Updated: November 12, 2016
Pre-parade activities start at 4 p.m. while the main attraction is at 5 p.m.
He's jolly, wears red and on Saturday he will be bringing Winnipeg families out to Portage Avenue.
Kris Kringle will be bringing his beard, reindeer and a lot of friends, including Grand Marshall Fred Penner, to the streets as part of the Santa Claus Parade.
The parade first came to the city in 1909 and is considered to be the longest running outdoor event in Manitoba. This year, there are 80 different entries for the parade, including 20 that are new.
"Santa makes his return visit to Winnipeg and I was just talking to the North Pole, and he's really looking forward to getting down to Winnipeg again," Ron Mark, parade executive director, said.
The forecast high is 13 C but by parade time it's expected to be around 5 C.
"[Santa] could use it just a little chillier here in Winnipeg," Mark said with a laugh.
"Winnipeggers, the weather doesn't really affect people coming out to the parade."
Mark said he is very excited about the Southern Chiefs Organization being involved in the parade for the first time.
"We look at the parade as really trying to reflect the community as a whole," he said.
Beyond the parade itself, there are also a host of block activities including tug of wars, a hoop contest and street hockey.
CBC will be hosting a parade watching spot.
Host-a-Block fun begins at 4 p.m. The parade starts at 5 p.m.
The parade begins at Portage Avenue and Young Street before heading east to Main Street. The floats and entertainment will continue south until it turns onto William Stephenson Way. It ends at Westbrook Street.
Street closures on Portage Avenue begin at 2 p.m. and followed by the Main Street closure at 2:30 p.m.