UPDATE: The Lions Club Santa Parade is being cancelled due to a storm in the forecast.
According to a press release from the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, “another series of atmospheric river events is forecast for the area … and this was felt to form a hazard for participants and onlookers. The unknown threats to the roads and highways and other infrastructure from such events is a concern, as is the current fuel crisis.”
A Santa Fly-In at the Harbour Air terminal is still planned for Saturday, Nov. 27 at noon, as well as Dec. 4, 11 and 18.
PREVIOUSLY POSTED: The pandemic even impacted Santa Claus’s travel plans last Christmas, but this year, the jolly old elf is being welcomed back to Nanaimo.
The Lions Club Santa Parade is going ahead this Saturday, Nov. 27, as soon as it gets dark.
“We’re excited to be able to make this announcement ensuring families can welcome Santa to downtown Nanaimo again,” noted organizers from the Lions Club in a Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce press release.
Harbour Air will once again host a Santa fly-in during the daytime on Saturday, with Santa’s seaplane scheduled to land in Nanaimo Harbour at noon. Interested families can gather at the seaplane terminal and walk with Santa Claus to his ‘Gingerbread Village’ on Commercial Street.
Seeing Santa at his Gingerbread Village will be a little different in pandemic times, with distanced visits at pre-arranged times on Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 27-Dec. 19.
“While waiting for their appointment with Santa, children can also engage in some craft activities in the village, and on some days pop across the street for storytelling or a puppet show at Literacy Nanaimo’s bookstore,” noted the press release, adding that the downtown business association is also sponsoring concerts at Diana Krall Plaza at noon on weekends.
As for this Saturday’s parade, it will take its usual route starting on Victoria Road, going up Commercial Street to Front Street and ending at Maffeo Sutton Park.
“Most of the action will be on Victoria Crescent and Commercial Street,” noted the press release, adding that downtown stores and restaurants will be open, there will be street entertainment along the route and food trucks at Diana Krall Plaza.
To register to see Santa at his Gingerbread Village, visit http://meetsanta-downtownnanaimo.eventbrite.ca.
For information about entering a vehicle, float or group in the parade, contact the chamber of commerce at info@nanaimochamber.bc.ca.
editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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