Santa Claus is coming to the Town of Fort Macleod this Saturday with southern Alberta’s most joyful and triumphant annual Santa Claus Parade.
Parade Coordinator Ashley Nelson says this year will be the 41st year of the parade. “Of course we missed a few years for COVID. But other than that, it’s never been cancelled. Rain, shine or cold, we usually just go ahead.”
Fort Macleod’s Santa Claus Parade is known as the “largest parade of its kind west of Toronto.” “We get six large marching bands that come, mostly from Calgary and some other smaller high school bands from the local area. There will be eight in total this year.”
“We get dancing groups, drummers and mascots. We’ll have live reindeer. And we get participants with floats of various kinds in the parade. It typically lasts about an hour. The bands are really what makes it. We’ll have almost 800 musical instruments on our Main Street for the parade. It will be awesome,” notes Nelson.
According to Nelson, the community loves the parade and everyone’s families seem to come home for the weekend. “There’s a lot of other events that go on throughout Friday and Saturday for everyone to participate in. It’s great to be downtown and see everybody that comes back and to get to visit with community members.”
“It just brings everybody from all ethnicities, backgrounds and it just brings the spirit of Christmas,” Nelson adds.
Nelson also adds the event typically attracts between ten to 12,000 parade goers each year.
“It’s definitely a must-see event. Come early, so you can get parking and come get your spot. There’s a lot of parking on the one way street across from the Fort Museum. Dress warm because you’ll be sitting for a while,” Nelson advises.
Many businesses will have hot chocolate and coffee available and cookies for the kids. “Lots of freebies to be had for families and a lot of extra little events going on like craft markets,” says Nelson.
On Friday night, there will also be Moonlight Madness, Nelson notes. “There’s sleighrides, a petting zoo and all kinds of fun activities for everybody.”
Saturday after the parade, Nelson encourages everyone to stick around the town because Santa will be at the Empress Theatre to take photos and there will be a free screening of “Elf” at 2 p.m.
“There’s a free community dance that evening and a big Rotary auction. Just lots of activities for everyone, so come out and have fun with us,” says Nelson.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. and moves north along 2 Avenue to Main Street, where it turns east to 6 Avenue and south to 22 Street.
