Santa Claus parade works its magic in Consecon hamlet

By Sharon Harrison
Holiday cheer was in abundance for the annual Consecon Santa Claus parade Sunday afternoon, even with the biting wind the jolly gent may have brought from the North Pole.

It was Santa’s last stop in the County until he returns Christmas Eve.

The parade of floats worked its way along County Road 29 (Mill Street) where the road was closed for the duration to accommodate the event which began at Main Street and Lakeside Drive.

Led by Royal Canadian Legion branch members, floats included local merchants, riders on horseback, festive costumed characters, a goodly fire department presence, Porchfest musicians, Kente Public School and concluded with Santa Claus himself.

The Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 509) was open to all before and after the parade providing free hot dogs and goodies for children. They could also get their faces painted at the legion, while a balloon artist entertained making twisted balloons for those who wanted one, much to the delight of the little ones.

Now in its 37th year, the annual parade, which skipped the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was back all thanks to local community participation, but especially the Ameliasburgh Recreation Committee which sponsored the event.

For those who couldn’t get enough Santa as he floated by, he spent some time at the legion after the parade entertaining the children, and posing for photos for those wanting a keepsake. There was also a craft table and a reindeer feed station at the legion.

Consecon United Church hosted sales of baked goods, and just across the road, the Consecon branch library offered a book sale and crafts for the kids.