Santa Claus will be the main attraction for this year’s Westport Lions Santa Claus parade which will be held on Saturday, November 25 starting 2:00 p.m.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
The Westport Lions Santa Claus parade will have a new feature this year. The dog that best displays the parade theme of a Gingerbread Christmas will win an award. The Lions believe it will be a fun addition to the parade and hope for lots of participation. Thanks to councillor Ami Carty for suggesting the idea. Awards for three other floats will be given out, one for closest to the theme of Gingerbread Christmas, Best Overall, and Honourable Mention. The club thanks Ken Rose, Bob Thompson, and Betty Jo MacDougall for volunteering to be this year’s parade judges.
In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, the Westport Rideaus Junior C’s will collect non-perishable food items for the food bank, and the Westport Lions will accept unwrapped toys for the toy drive. Cash donations are welcome for both charities.
Parade chief organizer Lion Marty Hawkins will create a brochure naming all the floats and sponsors of the parade. Lion Marty asks all parade entrants to call him ASAP at 613-531-1710 or email him at martyh@findlayfoods.com so he can include you in the brochure. All brochures will be numbered. Three children under the age of ten holding a brochure with the numbers selected will each receive a $20 bill.
Before the parade starts, Mr. Willis will provide Christmas music downtown for your enjoyment from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Mr. Willis’s music has helped to create a festive atmosphere before the parade for more than 30 years.
All parade participants are asked to marshal at the CircleK/Esso at 1:00 p.m.
The parade route will start at the Circle K/Esso and then proceed down Concession St. to Rideau St., follow Main St. until The Cove, then turn left onto Bedford St. At the Westport Village Pharmacy, the parade will turn left onto Church St. At the corner of Church and Spring Streets, it turns right, follows Spring until Concession and then back to the Circle K/Esso. The parade route gives ample room for people to spread out along the route. This will ensure young people get the best view and is more fun for the parade participants.
Westport Lions Club 