The boys waiting patienty with daddy for the parade to start, donating our food items and waving to Santa! |
I have very fond memories from attending the Santa Claus parade growing up. My parents would take us down early, we would find a great spot, grab a hot chocolate and wait. We would bring with us a toy we no longer played with to donate to the collection for less fortunate children.
It was always so much fun to see all the different floats, and the music, the crowds of people. I knew that when I had children, I wanted to continue the tradition.
Since Mr. J was 1.5, we have gone every year to our local parade (different than the one I grew up attending, we go to our local community parade). It's tradition for us to pack up early and head to my brothers house (they have always lived pretty much ON the parade route) the kids play for awhile, have a nice breakfast of fruit and croissants, my sister in law makes hot chocolate for all the kids and then we head outside to wait.
In past years, hubby has always worked the day of the parade so hasn't been with us. This year, he was not working and was able to join in. The kids were SO happy to have their dad with us.
Every year, along with the many floats that local businesses put into the parade, the local minor sports teams go around with shopping carts collecting food for the food cupboard, and the firemen (and fire-women) go around with the boot's collecting money.
In past years, I have forgotten to bring a food donation, but the boys always have their money handy when the boot's come around - this year, I remembered to bring food so they each got to put a donation into a cart as the teams went by.
Of course, the most exciting time of the parade (well, asides from all the candy and chocolate they received by parade participants) was when the fire truck rounded the corner with Santa's sleigh on top! The boys were ecstatic and couldn't wait until he passed by, they couldn't let him go without a wave!
We always went to our local parade when my daughter was young. I enjoyed it as much as she did.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much fun to see the kiddies enjoying it!
DeleteI remember when I was a kid that the local fire fighters decorated a fire truck and Santa was on top and they drove by waving and stopped and always gave us candy. It was fun seeing the Santa Fire Truck every year. I think your parade is very fun, and it is nice to bring food to give to others.
ReplyDeleteSuch great memories! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWhat a great way to spend some time with the family, sounds like everyone had a good time.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great morning!
DeleteOh how fun - we have a train that stops on our main street every year and gives Christmas rides
ReplyDeleteIs that the CP rail holiday train? We haven't seen it before, but such a cool idea
DeleteHow nice that your hubby could join you this year! Family Fun Days are always more fun when every family member is there.
ReplyDeleteWe might check out a Christmas parade this year in a nearby town...
It was nice that he could be with us. hope you enjoy if you take one in
DeleteI love the Santa Claus parade! Wish I could have gone myself this year, but I had to work a night shift.
ReplyDeletethat's too bad - maybe next year
DeleteLife is about making memories with those we love and this is one they will never forget either!
ReplyDeletevery true - thanks for your lovely comment!
Deletethats cute, they dont do Christmas parades in my area but i wish they did
ReplyDeletethat's too bad....they are so much fun
DeleteThis looks like such fun. You are so right about making memories. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by!
Deletei always loved going to parades as a kid and would love to take my son this year
ReplyDeleteso much fun!
DeleteWe always attend the Christmas parade---my teens are almost out of high school so I will miss doing this with them in the next 5 years.
ReplyDeleteWe have a really great Christmas parade in our little town. I love parades. There's something so nostalgic about them. I always cry when the school bands play & when the flags come by & we stand. Are you, too, disappointed that floats are no longer what they used to be? We need to bring those back to life!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for our town's parade! We are semi-new here, so I've just found out they do one!
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ReplyDeleteI live in a county where each city has it's own Christmas Parade. If you time it right, you can hit a couple parades in a single day. The kids have so much fun
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