GUELPH (November 12, 2018) 

The holiday cheer is now before us and with that the anticipation of the Guelph Community Santa Claus Parade. Start the excitement-filled afternoon with the 4th Annual Santa Road Race, organized by the Speed River Track & Field Club. At 1pm runners will once again don a red and white Santa suit and run 3KM on the parade route. All proceeds from the run will support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph. Registration stays open until the big race day.  So set up early, grab a hot beverage from a Downtown business, cheer on the runners and enjoy the show!

Be ready at 1:15pm with those letters to Santa and non-perishable items as Canada Post and the Guelph Food Bank will kick off the show.  The holiday fun begins at 1.30pm from Woolwich Street at Powell Street, ending on Wyndham Street at the railway bridge.  See the parade route map here.

We are honoured to welcome back members of the Indigenous Guelph community members, organized by the Ganawanden organization.  Meaning ‘take care’, Ganawenden offers talks on Indigenous cultural and sensitivity training in Waterloo region.  Indigenous community members from Guelph and KW area will carry flags that represent the Metis, Inuit, Mohawk, 2 Spirited and the Anishinaabe people.  They will be joined by drummer and singers from Spirit Vision, a community youth and men's drum group. 

Spectators can expect to see dogs in ugly Christmas sweaters, a trackless train filled with Guelph Gryphons, our first Nightmare Before Xmas-themed entry, and a whole host of wacky elves leading the ever-popular marching bands.

Warm up after the parade in Old Quebec Street Shoppes.  A Victorian-themed Christmas event will let you get a closer look at Santa.  Enjoy milk and cookies with Saint Nick until 4pm.

The Guelph Community Santa Parade is organized by the Downtown Guelph Business Association.  Over 100 volunteers help the day run safely and smoothly, and over 1,000 participants make us all happy with their colourful costumes and Christmas wishes.  For up to date details please be sure to follow our events page.

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