Sun shines on first parade bringing Santa to the County 

Story and photos by Sharon Harrison
The first of the County’s three official Santa Claus parades was enjoyed by the community Sunday afternoon, as people lined Picton Main Street to welcome participants ushering in jolly old St. Nick.

And while sunshine wasn’t in the local forecast, it shone down on Picton for the afternoon parade, warming hearts and minds on an otherwise damp and chilly late-November day.

Led by the colour party, the parade included many floats and two marching bands, including the Concert Band of Cobourg.

There were plenty of inflatables of all kinds, real-life horses (miniature ones, too), lights, tinsel and decorations galore, garlands and ribbon, towering Christmas trees, and possibly more candy handed out than at Halloween.

Many familiar sights and businesses were represented including the Belleville and District Shrine Club (and the camel herders unit, and the little toot train), the Prince Edward Yacht Club, County Transit, the County Farm Centre, the HUB Child and Family Centre, Prince Edward Family Health Team, along with the Picton Recreation Committee and the Picton Pirates Junior Hockey Club, among them.

And not forgotten in the parade, or any County parade, the Cherry Valley Fraser family brought a festive element to their remarkable vintage mode of transportation as they, and the vehicle, were decked out in festive finery.

The parade followed its usual Main Street route, from McFarland Drive (to the east), to Lake/Talbot Streets (to the west).

This year, the Picton branch library opened its doors where the little ones in particular could get their faces painted, and they were also treated to some children’s activities while they waited for the parade to begin. There was also a good quality used book sale, along with live musical entertainment, and outside, folks could snap a photo with a giant snowman. The library was also accepting non-perishable food donations for the foodbank.

St. Mary Magdalene church had hot chocolate and cookies during the parade for those in need of some warming, and they too were collecting donations to be given to the foodbank.

Prior to the parade, folks were invited to enjoy a goodly pancake breakfast at the Prince Edward Yacht Club with proceeds this year supporting Hospice Prince Edward.

And for those in need of more Santa sightings and festive fun, Bloomfield will host its nighttime Santa Claus parade Friday, Nov. 29 at 6.30 p.m. (streets close at 6 p.m.) before Santa returns once more to Consecon Sunday, Dec. 1, at 1 p.m.