Kids are making sure they stay on the nice list and community groups are putting the finishing touches on mobile works of art because Santa Claus is ready to make his annual pre-Christmas return to Aurora.
Aurora’s Santa Under the Stars Parade will take over Yonge Street on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m., travelling from Orchard Heights Boulevard in the north to Murray Drive in the south.
One of the town’s signature holiday events, it is billed as a “nighttime parade full of magic, with beautifully decorated floats, incredible marching bands, and a few special guests, including the jolly man in red himself.”
Ahead of the parade, we connected over Zoom with Mrs. Claus in the North Pole to get the scoop on all the festivities ahead – and she shared a burning desire to take part in this year’s parade to finally see what all the fuss is about!
Q: It’s a busy time of year in the North Pole. Why is the Santa Under the Stars parade always a fixture on your husband’s calendar?
A: Aurora is one of the best towns in all of Canada and I hear about this every time Santa comes to Aurora – and I always miss out on the action! Mind you, I have a big job because I still have all of the North Pole. No matter what Santa says to you, I run the show when he’s not here. I’m going to try my very best to join him this year though. I’m going to try with a nudge-nudge-wink-wink to Aurora’s events team to see if maybe they can make a surprise to Santa to make it easier for me to travel with him!
Q: Has Santa shared anything about what the events team is cooking up?
A: I know the elves in Aurora have been extremely busy because Santa has already been checking his naughty and nice list. We know the Events Team has been working really hard to ensure he is well welcomed in Aurora. In fact, when I see all the community now getting ready for the parade and brainstorming, I’m hoping more than ever I can take part! I hear that the floats are really starting to register now. I’ve seen online with my own two eyes how some community groups are already brainstorming themes and I hear that we have some brand-new groups trying to work really hard to be in the parade for this year. And, if I can get there, I’m really looking forward to hearing the St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums, and I know Santa is thrilled the Cardinal Carter marching band will be back this year. Personally, there can never be enough marching bands.
Q: We know you like to give back. Are you keeping tabs on what some of the local service clubs might be working on?
A: I know when Santa comes back every year, he always talks about the Optimist Club’s floats. We’re excited they are back. The Optimists also spend tons and tons of hours making sure the start of the Parade is safe, as well as the route, so I really hear a lot from him when he comes to Aurora about the Optimist Club. A lot of the clubs put in lots of effort, but there are some new businesses down by Yonge and Wellington like Bespoke. They do so much and they gussy up their windows – and I would love to see all the fancy windows, along with the children in the staging area before the Parade begins. As much as I like working hard running things in the North Pole, it would be nice if people waved to me for a change!
Q: There will be lots of kids waving along the route this year, no doubt. Is there anything you think the youngsters and their families should keep in mind?
A: As you can imagine how dearly Santa and I cherish children, we truly, with their parents, really need them to watch the parade from the sidewalk and not sit out on the road. Santa enjoys seeing their faces but I know it causes lots of worry when he’s on the parade route and there are so many families sitting up on lawn chairs encroaching onto the road. It worries me – what if an ambulance ever had to go down to one of the side streets to help someone? What would happen in that case?
Q: How about the reindeer? Are they ready for the big day?
A: The reindeer get regular exercise and we will add a little bit of extra protein to their meals as we start counting down because I believe we’re only around 40 days away from the big day. They faithfully work out and, of course, there is always reindeer games.
Q: As much as you hope this will be your first time at the parade, does Santa have any tips for first-timers in the Aurora and York Region communities?
A: Aurora’s parade is truly extra special. It is special because it happens with a special team. It is put on by the town, but it is truly the heart of the community that creates the magic and truly, by far, Santa always comes back and tells me about the Aurora parade. There must be something very special happening down there and if you were in close proximity and get the chance to go, I really hope you will take that opportunity!
For more information about Aurora’s 2023 Santa Under the Stars Parade, visit aurora.ca/santaparade.
Brock Weir is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative reporter at The Auroran
