The Santa Claus Parade

Photos by Alan L Brown - Posted May, 2004

Eaton's, Timothy Eaton's famous department store, ran this parade for 78 years when, unable to financially continue it, turned it over to a local volunteer group. On the northwest corner of Queen Street West and James Street, stands this Ontario Heritage Trust plaque which says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.65228 -79.38101

In 1905, Timothy Eaton's department store began the tradition of the Santa Claus Parade. Initially, the parade featured Santa Claus on a horse-drawn cart. The parade has grown in size and splendour to include upside-down clowns, colourful marching bands, mascots, characters in elaborate costumes, ornately-decorated floats and - of course - Santa Claus himself. Over the years, Santa has travelled from the North Pole by train, coach, ice floe, airplane and sleigh pulled by nine reindeer. In 1982, a local volunteer group assumed responsibility for the parade. One of Canada's longest-running traditions, the parade remains focussed on bringing joy to children and continues to enchant and entertain people of all ages.

Related web pages
The Santa Claus Parade
Eaton's
Santa Claus

More
Parks and Recreation

Here are the visitors' comments for this page.

Posted November 19, 2011
Re: question of Nov. 17. It's next to Old City Hall, at the southeast corner of the block. Each page on this website has as map and, just above it, precise latitude/longitude coordinates to locate any marker. If the static map is not sufficient, copy and paste the coordinates into any map engine (Bing, Google Maps, et al.) and you can zoom in and out and even get street images. This plaque was placed along the route traditionally taken by the parade. The 2011 edition, this weekend, will bypass it, however. -Wayne

Posted November 17, 2011
Where is this plaque do you near what landmark ? I missed this one too I love the plaques and the work you have done with this site ! I spend hours on this site

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