DON’T GET PUT ON SANTA’S NAUGHTY LIST!

Ensure your float shines bright and fills the air with the joyous tunes of the holiday season at The Greater Sudbury Santa Claus Parade.
Our vigilant Christmas Elves and Parade Judges will be closely watching for any floats that fail to meet our festive criteria.
Make sure your float is illuminated to perfection, playing or singing cheerful Christmas music, and adorned with an abundance of festive decorations.
Don't let your float be graced with just a hint of holiday spirit or 'Bah – Humbug' decor.
Furthermore, only merry participants emanating the true essence of Christmas are welcome.
We will promptly mail a notice to any naughty entries, providing suggestions for improvement in the following year.
However, should a float continuously fall short of the festive mark for two consecutive years, the time will come to permanently retire it from the toy shop.

Parade Rules

General:

  1. All entries must include appropriate Christmas decorations and lighting.

  2. Music is to be played or performed from floats and must not interfere with other floats.

  3. Parade entries must not include a Santa Claus. There will be only one Santa in the parade and his participation is already arranged.

  4. No candies or other handouts may be thrown into the crowd from floats or vehicles.

  5. All walking participants not in organized marching groups must be a minimum of 12 years of age and must have proper illumination for safety reasons.

  6. All parade participants must adhere to Parade Marshals instructions including direction from security personnel.

  7. Failure to comply with Parade Regulations may result in a ban from future parades.

  8. All Participants must complete an entry form.

  9. All vehicles/Floats must obey the Highway Traffic Act regulations outside of marshalling area – No passengers will be permitted to ride on a float outside of the Marshalling area/parade route.

Floats and Vehicles:

  1. All drivers must be in possession of appropriate valid driver’s license and insurance.

  2. Floats cannot be greater than 80 feet in length, 10 feet in width or 13 feet in height.

  3. Use of horns is forbidden (e.g. air-horn, convention horn)

  4. Participants must remain on floats during the parade and an adult must properly supervise children.

  5. All walking float participants must have a type of illumination to ensure adequate visibility for safety purposes

Animal(s) Groups

  1. All animals must have a type of illumination to ensure adequate visibility for safety purposes.

  2. 2. All animal entrants must have a clean-up following

Marshalling Directions:

  1. The attached map outlines the marshalling and disbursement areas.

  2. Marshalling begins at 1:00 p.m. You will be advised one week prior to the parade of your arrival time and location in the parade.

  3. Only floats and support vehicles will be allowed in the Marshaling area.

  4. Be sure to give clear direction to parents of any children you might be organizing for your float. Children in the marshaling area must be supervised at all times.

  5. All parade entries must be in place by 5:00 p.m.

Parade Disbursement:

The parade will finish at the corner of St. Anne’s Road and Notre Dame (Please see next page for further details).  

All entries will re-enter the marshaling area for tear-down and dispersal (Southbound lanes on Notre Dame Avenue).  

Those picking up children and/or participants after the parade are strongly encouraged to meet at a location outside of the disbursement area.

 

Awards/Judging:

Parade entry awards evening; for the children's choice, floats, bands, marching groups and will be presented on December 12, 2023 7:00 pm at Northern Water Sports Center

Judges:

The Judges for the Parade are generally selected from our honorary chairs and major sponsors .
The judges will be located at (to be determined)
Parade participants should prepare for the judging,

Judging Criteria: (All points total 100)

Floats:  Originality,  design, costumes, decoration/lights, theme,  music, and use of the whole float

Bands: Night appearance,  music ability, music choice,  and marching

Marching Groups:  Precision,  originality, night appearance/costumes

" Children's Choice "

Judges location will be announced prior to parade start. Please ensure your entry number is prominently displayed. Plan for your entertainment to really “shine” while passing the judges.

Parade Day Information

  • The Traffic Management Unit will undertake all necessary road closures, traffic rerouting, and traffic control points to ensure the safety of the parade participants and attending pedestrian spectators.

  • Our unit understands the motoring public will be slightly inconvenienced on the afternoon of the parade; however, we believe these measures are necessary to successfully meet our mandate.

  • Motorists should be aware of the following:

  • Southbound lanes on Notre Dame Ave. will be closed between Kathleen St and Ste Anne Rd. at 1:00 P.M.

  • The downtown core will be closed to vehicular traffic at 5:00 P.M. until approximately 8:00 P.M.

  • Families planning on attending the parade are encouraged to carpool and arrive early to park free of charge in a municipal parking lot

  • Parking will not be permitted along the parade route: Ste. Anne, Notre Dame, Elgin, Elm, and Paris

  • Proposed route: The direction of the parade is south on Notre Dame, west on Elm, north on Elgin, and finally east on Ste. Anne

Officers along the route will assist traffic destined for downtown as much as possible tomorrow afternoon; however, motorists are encouraged to plan an alternate route.