Santa visited Westport to record crowds at the Westport Lions Santa Claus parade. Photo Credit: Janet Mulville.
Westport Lions Roar
By Lion Bob Reddick
It was a perfect winter day for the Westport Lions Santa Claus parade! Santa Claus was able to fit Westport into his busy schedule, the weather was ideal, and the participation and support from the community was outstanding. When Betty Trewin-Clark, who is 92 years old, was asked what she liked most about the parade, she replied, “It was the best parade ever; there is so much work involved.” Marjorie Norwood, 85, thought, “All the floats were very good and the parade was long.” In contrast, when asked the same question, nine-year-old Chace liked the candy, four-year-old Nova liked Santa Claus, and four-year-old Sloan liked the chicken hat she wore on the Rustic Farmhouse Market float.
As Lion Marty Hawkins, chief organizer of this year’s Westport Lions Santa Claus parade, says, “A monster thank you to the people of Westport and area.” It takes a whole village to put on the parade, and the Westport Lions would like to acknowledge a few people in this article. The club will endeavour to thank everyone who contributed in a thank you ad in the next week’s edition of The Review-Mirror.
The club thanks the 31 businesses that contributed a record amount of money to help pay for the parade’s expenses and the 41 organizations that made the effort to enter a float. It wouldn’t be much of a parade without you. A special thank you to Ragu Sharma and Circle K for donating 200 hot dogs and to the Derbyshire family for allowing the club to use their parking lot. Thanks to Mr. R.E. Wills, at 94 years young, who provided the sound system for Santa and the music and commentary at the corner of Bedford and Church streets. Thanks to Dr. Roberts for being Westport’s elf and Westport’s Senior Living group, who provided traffic control at seven out of the nine intersections, and the OPP for their assistance. Thank you to all the people who contributed to the Lions’ food bank and toy drive initiatives.
Thank you to our judges Cat Monster of Pine Cone, David Lewis from Westport Home Hardware, and Mary Cowan of The Cove Country Inn who chose the float winners:
Most Creative – Howling Hideaway Rescue
Most Festive -The Baptist Church of Westport
Most Community-Oriented – Westport’s Senior Living
A special recognition goes to Lion Marty Hawkins for organizing this year’s parade. There are many tasks to organizing a community parade which is enjoyed by both young and old. The Westport Lions wish everyone Merry Christmas, and thank you for your support.
Westport Lions Club 