‘Twas a cold crispy night when the events had begun, as citizens of Fredericton gathered both old and young. With joy in their hearts and big smiles on their face, they knew that to see Santa Claus, they had come to the right place. It was the Santa Claus Parade, the night was here! To feel the holiday spirit and spread some goodwill and cheer!
On Saturday, November 25th, Santa Claus came to town and he wasn’t alone. Through the night Fredericton families gathered and were greeted with the likes of Santa Claus, the Grinch, Elsa, Anna, and so many more! There were also performances by Santa’s very own marching band and troupe of dancing snowmen!
Though it all sounds like it went off without a hitch, feedback from parents revealed a less seamless experience for some attendees. Parents, expecting to see the big man in his red suit, were disappointed by his late appearance, causing impatience among kids. Concerns were also raised over the quality of certain floats and the lack of merriness from those on and driving them. Safety issues were also highlighted, as one mother from Oromocto noted:
“The safety hazards were a concern as no guardrails were present which led kids and crowds of parents to slowly push on to the road in order to get a better view.”
She also commented on the quality of the parade,
“Some vehicles weren’t very festive and just felt like they found a cheap way to advertise. They would maybe put one string of lights on their car and that was it. Not only that but the timing was pretty bad as the parade fell around dinner time and kids were getting impatient and hangry. They wanted to see Santa but the gaps between some displays were too large and only made the kids more impatient. Overall the parade was fun but there are definitely improvements to be made for next year. Oh and please for the love of everything that is good, leave the taxidermied deer at home. That’s not even festive, it’s scary.”
Given the feedback, there are some clear areas for improvement organizers can implement. Safety obviously is paramount, and can easily be addressed by installing temporary fencing to keep onlookers safe; some floats had to adjust course in order not to hit anyone.
The parade’s length was also an issue. To adults, an hour seems like no time at all, but to kids, it’s an eternity. So slim down the number of parade participants to only the most elaborate and festive of the bunch. Discourage those floats that appear more like advertising, and keep it around 30-45 minutes. That way kids can see everything the parade has to offer without missing dinner.
The Santa Claus Parade is an event like no other throughout the year and bears the responsibility of ringing in the holiday season, so it’s important to get it right. By addressing safety issues and refining the event’s structure, it can offer a much more wholesome experience for both participants and spectators. And please, keep your taxidermied deer at home.
