by Sylene Argent
Thousands of area residents stood shoulder-to-shoulder along Talbot Street in downtown Essex Centre on Saturday evening to enjoy the 2019 Essex Centre BIA Santa Claus Parade.
The nighttime parade was met with perfect weather for an outdoor event, and lasted around an hour. Many of the floats entered into the parade were of local organizations or businesses, decorated with the event theme, “My Family Christmas Story.”
All the floats offered hundreds of twinkling lights, creating a spectacle sure to wow everyone who attended the event.
Five marching bands from Detroit, in addition to the Kingsville Essex Associated Band, wowed the crowd with their renditions of favoured Christmas tunes that were pared with dance moves.
Canada Post employees walked along the parade route to collect letters to Santa from excited area youth, many of whom wore festive toques or flashing headbands in the spirit of the season.
Representatives of the Essex St. Vincent de Paul collected non-perishable food donations for its food bank, and members of the Rotary Club of Essex did the same for the Essex Area Food Bank. Members of the EDHS Rotary Interact Club enjoyed handing out candies along the parade route as well.
Of course, all the youth in attendance, and the young at heart, were particularly excited to wave at Santa and Mrs. Claus as they made their way along the parade route on their new float, which has the festive couple sit in a sleigh with reindeers taking off for flight. Students at Kingsville District High School created this float for the area parades Windsor Parade Corporation organizes.
In addition, the students at General Amherst High School repaired the Two Turtle Doves float for this year’s festive parade season.
The Essex Centre BIA is the title sponsor for this Santa Parade, and the Essex Centre BIA Board enjoys working with the parade organizer, Windsor Parade Corporation, in addition to area OPP and the Town of Essex on hosting this event every year.
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