Toronto Santa Claus Parade heading to Canada’s Wonderland this year

Recorded parade will air on television Dec. 5

Yorkregion.com
November 19, 2020
Aaron D'Andrea

The 116th annual Toronto Santa Claus Parade will head to Canada’s Wonderland this year for a recorded parade set to air on television in early December.

The more than 100-year-old event usually takes place in the city, but due to COVID-19, organizers have moved the parade to the Vaughan amusement park.

The parade, which will include 23 colourful floats, special musical guest performances, celebrity appearances and the iconic “Celebrity Clowns” will be filmed and will be shown on a two-hour broadcast airing Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. on CTV and CTV2.

It will be hosted by CTV media personalities Melissa Grelo and Kelsey McEwen.

“Even though we can’t celebrate with a live parade this year, Santa and Mrs. Claus will bring the spirit of the holiday season to families across the country,” said Clay Charters, CEO and chairman of the Santa Claus Parade, in a news release. “We want to sincerely thank our sponsors, who have enthusiastically embraced this new format to ensure that the parade continues.”

Organizers are promoting initiatives to help get supporters engaged in this year’s event.

The Countdown to Christmas 50/50 Raffle will support MLSE Foundation, CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish and the Santa Claus Parade. There will be qualifying draw dates on Dec. 5, 12, 18 and 19, with the grand prize draw being done at noon on Dec. 20. Viewers can access the raffle by visiting thesantaclausparade.com/5050-raffle beginning Dec. 1.

Furthermore, viewers can purchase one of Rudolph’s red noses ahead of the event from any Altima Dental office in the GTA/Southwestern Ontario. All proceeds will go to the Santa Claus Parade.

Finally, the parade is launching the Clowning Around at Home Program, so viewers can have their chance to support the parade and dress up like a Celebrity Clown. Program supporters will receive clown makeup, a wig, gloves and a red nose, so they can transform into a Celebrity Clown in the comfort of their own home. Participants can film a short clip of themselves and submit it to the Santa Claus Parade for possible inclusion during the prime-time broadcast.

Details regarding this program are available at celebrityclowns.com, and for more information on this year’s parade, visit thesantaclausparade.com.