Residents of the Harbour City better watch out and they better not cry.
That’s because Santa Claus will be coming to town Saturday (Nov. 26). St. Nicholas will be in the Harbour City to participate in the annual Downtown Nanaimo Santa Claus Parade, which kicks off at 5 p.m.
The parade route begins near the Robarts Street and Victoria Road intersection and will take Santa and other participants along Victoria Crescent, Commercial Street, Church Street, ending at Front Street.
Kathleen Bryne, marketing and events assistant for the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, said people should arrive early to get a good view of Santa.
“Keep an eye out for Santa,” she said. “He’s only on one float throughout the entire parade.”
There will be more than two dozen floats in the parade this year, according to Bryne.
“We will have about 30 floats, which is kind of a record, from all sorts of clubs, organizations and association from clubs, not only from Nanaimo but from all over Vancouver Island,” Bryne said.
Bryne said there will be free parking all day at 87 Nicol St. and 366 Prideaux St. and that parking downtown is also free after 5 p.m. She said people should not park along the parade route.
“To avoid being towed away, just don’t park along any of the streets on the parade route after 4 p.m.,” she said.
The parade will end at 6 p.m. For more information, please visit www.dnbia.ca.