Thousands of Ottawans get in the holiday spirit at the Help Santa Toy Parade

Thousands of people came out for the ‘Help Santa Toy Parade’ Saturday morning, supporting CTV and MOVE 100’s Toy Mountain. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

Thousands of festive Ottawans headed out to watch and support the 56th annual Help Santa Toy Parade Saturday morning.

The event hosted by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association took off along a new route down Queen Elizabeth Driveway at 11 a.m. and featured over 65 floats and entries and a brand-new sleigh for Santa Claus.

According to the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association’s chair of parades, the event wouldn’t have been possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers who work to create floats, keep man barricades and coordinate the event.

“We’re happy to be here. Then entire team is here having a good time,” Cameron Taylor, told CTV News Ottawa ahead of the parade.

“The team has come together in the end and the city has come together for some fun. Everyone is excited.”

The parade ran south down Queen Elizabeth Driveway from Somerset Streeet West to Lansdowne Park, ultimately finishing at the Christmas Market at Lansdowne.

The event featured bands, dancers, firetrucks and much more, and Taylor says the event received support from countless local businesses.

“Everyone’s involved,” Taylor said.

Along the route, firefighters collected cash donations as well as unwrapped toys to help deliver Christmas gifts to children through CTV and Move 100’s Toy Mountain Campaign.

“It’s a time when we can all come together and distribute some of the goodness,” Taylor said.

For members of the Saikaley family, the Help Santa Toy Parade is a holiday tradition.

“It’s just a nice way to give back to the community and start the festiveness of the season and get the excitement going for Christmas and all the good things to come,” Misty Saikaley said. “We do it every year.”

Saikaley was in attendance with her two children, Bowie and Norah.

For Norah, the day was all about getting to see Santa Claus. While Bowie, who will turn five right before Christmas, said he was hoping to get his hands on some candy canes.

The Saikaley’s brought a pottery making kit and a rock painting gift to donate to the parade.

“It’s important to just give,” Saikaley said. “Especially to those that are in need. And if you have the means, then spread the love.”

For parade organizer Taylor, any contribution is welcome.

“We’re happy to have everybody come out and see everything,” Taylor said. “Give what you can, but no amount is too small or too big.”

The Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association will be back out again next weekend for Santa’s Parade of Lights at 6 p.m. on Saturday in Orléans.

With files from CTV’s Kimberley Johnson.

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