Despite a strong cold wind, downtown Windsor buzzed with warm festive spirit Saturday evening as thousands lined streets to celebrate the 57th annual Santa Claus Parade.
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The parade, sponsored by the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Area, kicked off at 6 p.m. and ran north on Ouellette Avenue from Elliot Street and then west along Riverside Drive West to Caron Avenue.
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The parade featured more than 60 floats, eight bands, the Canadian Cow Girls, trophy-toting St. Clair Saints national football championship team, as well as entertainers, costumed characters and more.
Bagpipers helped chase away the chill in the air as they marched down Ouellette Avenue in downtown Windsor during the Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star Adelyn Maclean, 6, and her dog Max patiently wait for the arrival of Santa along Ouellette Avenue in downtown Windsor on Saturday night.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star
“It’s a nice family night,” said LaSalle’s Rob Maclean, joined by his wife Teija and daughter Adelyn. “I always enjoy the marching bands and the kids love seeing the horses and dogs.
“It’s a good thing for downtown Windsor.”
Windsor’s Zachery Dereniowski, also known as MD Motivator on social media, was this year’s parade grand marshal.
Dereniowski, who uses social media to give away thousands of dollars and kick off fundraising campaigns for people in need, spread the holiday cheer by surprising a lucky family with $1,000 during the parade.
Lots of animals, including horses and dogs, participated in this year’s downtown Windsor Santa Claus Parade on Saturday night.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star A group of reindeer with TC’Z Dance Studio gather along Elliot Street ahead of the start of the 57th annual Santa Claus Parade through downtown Windsor on Saturday night.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star
“It’s our daughter’s first Santa Claus Parade,” said Windsor resident Anthony Taylor. “I used to go every single year as a kid, so I’m excited for her to get to experience this.
“It’s nice that it’s back downtown, it’s a lot better.”
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Santa Claus parades have already been held in Kingsville, Tecumseh, Leamington andAmherstburgbut at least one more parade is set for this month.
The Essex Santa Claus Parade runs Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Grinch on horseback. Dr. Seuss, Disney, Marvel — there was a universe of legendary characters participating in this year’s Windsor Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star Rapunzel, Elsa and Superman (with Evermore Princess Parties) are shown along Ouellette Avenue ahead of the 57th Windsor Santa Claus Parade on Saturday night.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star Brinley Taylor caught a classy ride to Saturday night’s Santa Claus Parade in downtown Windsor.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star Adding a little fiery excitement along a cold parade route, a juggler wows the crowds lining the curbs along Ouellette Avenue during Saturday night’s Santa Parade.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star A mob of creepy characters from Scarehouse Windsor swarmed Ouellette Avenue in downtown Windsor during the 57th annual Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, December 7, 2024.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star With dusk beginning to darken the sky, a float awaits its turn to begin rolling down Ouellette Avenue and be greeted by thousands of people attending this year’s Santa Claus Parade in downtown Windsor on Saturday, December 7, 2024.Photo by MILLAR HOLMES-HILL /Windsor Star
