Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

HO HO HO

First-ever Kamloops after-dark Santa Claus parade a big hit

Nov 18, 2019 | 5:15 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s become the official kickoff to the Christmas season in the city. The 39th annual Santa Claus Parade took over the streets of downtown Kamloops on Sunday, but this year it came with a twist. For this first time, the parade was held in the evening. Participants were asked to illuminate their floats with as many lights as possible.

For parade organizer Carl DeSantis, the first attempt at an evening parade was wildly successful.

“I’m going to say 100 per cent mission accomplished,” DeSantis told CFJC Today Monday morning. “We wanted to create an environment that was magical, that was memorable for the kids and families, and we achieved that. We saw lights as we’ve never seen downtown. Didn’t quite get to the illumination factor where you could see them from outer space, but that’s next year.”

The change in the parade schedule didn’t seem to affect the crowd, which saw thousands of families line the route for the chance to see Santa Claus fly by in his sleigh.

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“I went through the parade route twice, and the crowd was shoulder-to-shoulder, half a dozen deep all the way down Second [Avenue] to Victoria [Street], all along Victoria to Sixth [Avenue],” DeSantis said. “The feedback I’ve received, unconditionally so far, has been positive, supportive. We breathed new life into an aging event.”

With a milestone anniversary coming up in 2020, Downtown Kamloops says this year’s event was a dress rehearsal for the 40th anniversary of the parade.

“It was the first time we’ve ever done this in the dark, and now the participants know what they’re capable of,” DeSantis said. “We’re going to challenge everyone involved to step up the game for next year.”