What to expect: Downtown Barrie transforms for 76th annual Santa Claus Parade

On Saturday, thousands gathered along the lakeshore for one of the city’s longest-running holiday traditions.

On Saturday, downtown Barrie will come alive as thousands gather along the lakeshore for one of the city’s longest-running holiday traditions: The 76th annual Barrie Santa Claus Parade.

Since 1949, the parade has brought families, friends, and neighbours together to ring in the excitement of the season.

This year’s celebration is presented by the Downtown Barrie BIA in partnership with the Barrie Chamber of Commerce Santa Claus Parade, the Rotary Club of Barrie’s Festival of Trees, and the City of Barrie’s event and fireworks team.

Saturday’s guide

Festivities get underway at 3 p.m. at Meridian Place with music, family activities, and opportunities to donate toys and food to local charities. Local talents Burke Erwin, Sammy, and Francesca Panetta will take the stage, filling the brisk air with holiday classics.

Over at Centennial Park, Santa’s Fireside Gathering offers food trucks, bonfires, and bleacher seating for anyone wanting to settle in before the parade begins.

The parade kicks off at 5 p.m., along Lakeshore Drive and Dunlop Street toward Poyntz Street.

This year’s theme, “Magic of Toyland”, promises colourful floats and familiar toy characters brought to life.

• To find a parade near you, click here

Visitors can also warm up with free Tim Hortons hot chocolate by donating a non-perishable food item to the Barrie Food Bank. Young ones are free to stop by the Kids’ Warming Tent, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Barrie, for hands-on art activities and crafts.

Once the parade concludes, Santa will light the tree at Meridian Place around 6:30 p.m.. Fireworks and a concert on the Wildfire-Peacock Stage will close out the night.

Weather ready

Saturday in Barrie is expected to be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers near noon, according to Environment Canada.

“A few showers ending this evening then cloudy with 60 per cent chance of drizzle or showers,” stated the national weather agency.

Several road closures will take place to accommodate this event.