Santa Claus parade promises to be great fun this year!

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Santa Claus is coming to town on December 5th!
Rainy River’s annual Santa Claus Parade will be held on a Saturday this year and a few more changes other than the day have been incorporated this year.
Rainy River Recreation Director Meghan Shanks decided to flip the schedule so to speak. Instead of the parade being the lead off event it will be the last part of the afternoon of Christmas fun!
At 2 p.m. free hayrides will begin at the Rainy River Community Centre. During the ride a stop will be made at Bob and Elsie Ewalds’ farm to see their horses.
Also at 2 p.m. is the annual free public skating. This year the theme will be “Red, white and green! I thought we could make it more Christmassy!” said Shanks. People are encouraged to dress in red, white and green or perhaps even in festive costumes!
At 3:30 p.m. one of the funnest events of the year will take place. Kids will get to visit with Santa in the Community Centre hall! Santa promises to have goodies for all the kids who attend! At the same time there will also be Christmas caroling and free hot dogs and hot chocolate will be served.
At 5:15 p.m. the town Christmas tree will be lit by Mayor Deb Ewald next to Gillon’s Insurance. Following that the parade will begin at the base of Main St. and head north to Broadway Ave. where it will head east to First St. and then down that street and back to where it started. “The reasoning for the added route this year is to allow the seniors in Heritage House to see it as well.” It already goes by Riverview Manor and the hospital.
There will be $275 in prizes for the floats in the parade. 1st will get $150, 2nd $75 and 3rd $50. To enter a float call Shanks at 852-4446. There is no entry fee for the floats.
There is also a colouring contest now underway for kids to win a chance to ride with Santa on his float! Kids can pick up a picture to be coloured at Riverview School or the Rainy River Best Start Hub. They need to be dropped off at the Community Centre by Nov. 25, 2009. Winners will appear in the Record on December 1st. There are three age categories: 3 and under, 4-8 and 9 and over.