Santa Claus is making his final preparations for Aurora’s annual Santa Under the Stars Parade, set for tonight, Saturday, Nov. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Having learned his trade helping with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and raising funds for the Ontario SPCA, Claus now has more than a decade of experience appearing in the Aurora Christmas parade.
“I've always loved kids,” said Claus during an interview with AuroraToday. “I love the conversations I get into with them and it's just fabulous to watch the excitement. I want to keep the magic that I had as a kid — I want all kids to have that magic because I did have the magic when it came to Christmas.”
During his time appearing in Aurora's parade, Claus has gone through more than one red hat and had to refresh his beard and trousers on numerous occasions. Several years ago, he was gifted a velvet suit, which is his favourite to don during the parade.
Splitting his time between the North Pole and living in Aurora, Claus strives to keep a low profile, but said it’s one of “Aurora’s worst-kept secrets.”
“It's fun if you can keep it under wrap,” he chuckled merrily. “That, to me, makes it fun, if you're going down the road and you're calling people by their name and they don't know. It shocks them.”
The Santa Under the Stars Parade sets off at 6 p.m. on Saturday, travelling south along Yonge Street from Orchard Heights Boulevard to Murray Drive.
Claus credited the town for organizing the parade, saying this year is set to have one of the highest numbers of floats.
“It's one of the best parades north of Toronto as far as I'm concerned,” he said.
Road closures for parade
There will be several road closures on Saturday to allow for Claus, the reindeer, and all the decorated floats to travel safely along the route.
The following roads are set to be closed:
- Yonge Street from St. John’s Sideroad to Orchard Heights Boulevard from 3 to 8 p.m.
- Yonge Street from Industrial Parkway South to Wellington Street and Wellington Street to Batson Drive (northbound traffic only) from 3 to 8 p.m.
- All side streets between Wellington Street and Batson Drive will remain open (southbound Yonge Street will still be open until 5:30 p.m., when full road closure takes effect).
- Old Yonge Street (southbound only) from St. John’s Sideroad to Twelve Oaks Drive. Northbound Old Yonge Street will be open for through traffic from 3 to 8 p.m.
- Yonge Street from Orchard Heights Boulevard to Henderson Drive from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
- Englehard Drive from Edward Street to Industrial Parkway from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
More information can be found on the town’s website.
