Santa Lights Up Welland

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Arrives to Light up the City! (November 17)

. Santa was surprised by the crowd out to greet him November 17 at Civic Hall.
He used his special magic to light up the town’s Christmas tree.

By: Brandy Ford 

Read my article at St. Catharines Standard

 He’s holly and he’s jolly and he arrived in Welland Saturday night. Hundreds of people gathered along East Main Street and at Civic Square to catch a glimpse of the famous man in red and were not disappointed.

L-R Liam McQuiggan, Anthony Gagnon, Maddox Beney, Melanie Nan and Connor Cross made sure to bundle up as they prepared to ride the SLM float during the Santa Claus Parade on Saturday.

With a joyous “Ho! Ho! Ho!” Santa Claus greeted the crowd and his first mission was to use his magic to light the town Christmas tree.  He then walked into the building to enjoy a hot chocolate, some cookies, and listen to the wishes of all the excited children waiting in line eagerly for their moment with the big guy.

Nevaeh Olsen, 3, was the first child able to sit on Santa’s lap and have a talk with him after he sat down. She was a little shy at first, but smiled as she gave him her Christmas wish.

“I want a Vamperina car,” she told him.

The annual Santa Clause parade began at Canadian Tire Financial Services and travelled west towards the Civic Square. Spectators were treated to a vision of festive floats and Canada Post volunteers dutifully collected letters from excited children with the promise of passing them along to the one and only, Santa Claus.

Free hot chocolate, treats, face-painting and crafts were available after the parade inside Civic Square, and Disney’s Prep and Landing movie was shown on the big screen outside the building.

Abagail Acaster (left) and Ava Hopkins were part of the
Niagara Centre Skating Club float during Welland’s Santa Claus Parade on Saturday.

 Siblings Jaxon Cramp (left), Liam and Emily excitedly kept a lookout for Santa Claus
Saturday during the annual parade in Welland.Liam
hopes Santa will bring him a new toy train,
 Jaxon’s wish is for a lego set and little Emily hopes she will
 find a barbie waiting under the tree on Christmas morning.

Gianna DeChellis, 6, is all smiles as she enjoys a sweet maple syrup treat at Civic Square after the Santa Clause parade on Saturday.

Three-year-old Nevaeh Olsen was the first child to have a chance to have a moment with Santa after he arrived at Civic Square during the annual parade on Saturday.

A volunteer with Scouts Canada glides down the street during the annual Santa Claus Parade on Saturday.

 Port Colborne Shriners cruised down the street during the annual Santa Clause Parade in Welland Saturday night.

Santa takes a moment to chat with one of the many children excited to see him as he arrives at Civic Square after the parade on Saturday.