Despite a delay, thousands gather to see Santa in annual St. John's Christmas parade
The Big Stick, wiener dogs and more were featured after a weeklong delay
After a weeklong delay, the annual downtown St. John's Christmas parade went off without a hitch Sunday.
More than 50,000 people crowded the streets to see Santa Claus and other parade icons.
"I'm excited to see Big Stick and the wiener dogs," said seven-year-old Louie, while waiting for the parade to start.
"The wieners are so cute."
The parade was originally slated for a week ago, but an armed standoff on nearby Brazil Street caused a postponement of the event a mere half-hour before it was set to begin.
Though Sunday's rescheduled parade went as planned this time around, downtown St. John's special events manager Gaylynne Gulliver was prepared for anything.
"We always write an emergency plan for this event, we review it all the time," said Gulliver. "We're ready."
Gulliver said only two groups were unable to attend the rescheduled parade, with all the other participants taking part as planned.
The floats, bands, mascots and dogs are small pieces in the bigger picture of the annual event.
The parade raises money and food donations for the Community Food Sharing Association each year.
"Over the last number of years, we've collected well over $1,000,000 in food," said Gulliver.
"I think we're up to just a little over $300,000 in cash collected from this event."
Among the many attractions in the parade this year were two Mario-themed floats and a float featuring the Ukrainian folk band Kubasonics.
However, for the kids in attendance, there were many different favourite features.
"Batman," said five-year-old Allan.
"I liked when Grandma got ran over by a reindeer," said seven-year-old Ben.
"I like the music," said Will, who attended the parade with his younger brother Lachlan.
For Lachlan, his favourite part of the parade was not a float or even Santa himself.
"Hot chocolate," he said.
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With files from Henrike Wilhelm
