The Flamborough Christmas Parade signaled the beginning of the holiday season for western Hamilton, and 30,000 spectators according to the parade organizers.
The parade was held in Waterdown around the busy Hamilton Street and Dundas Street intersection. The two-and-a-half-kilometer route was lined shoulder to shoulder with families hoping to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus.
The festivities didn’t start until 6:30 P.M. so the sun had already set, but that just let people get creative with their holiday spirit, many people brought along light-up necklaces and accessories to make the most of the later start.
Hamilton emergency services kicked off the festivities, leading the parade with multiple police, paramedic, and fire rescue vehicles decorated hood to trunk with Christmas decorations and lights.
The rest of the parade featured marching bands, dance groups and bright and colourful floats, it was something that could get anyone excited.
“The parade was a great way to kick off the holidays. Winter is my favourite season and the festive atmosphere was great,” Amanda Hologroski said. “My favourite parts were the Burlington Junior Red Coats and the Teen Tour Band. Their music really gets you into the holiday spirit and adds so much energy to the parade.”
The parade also has volunteers walking the route selling cotton candy and kettle corn as road-side snacks viewers could enjoy while watching, and know they were giving back to a local tradition.
Some parade participants handed out goodies and treats, or conversed with some of the spectators. One performer walking the route on stilts even took some time to warm their hands up by the portable heater one family had brought.
The weather seemed to be playing a role in the holiday spirit too, a chilly wind was coupled with light fluffy snow for the duration of the parade, even coating the roads and turning the main throughways of Waterdown into a winter wonderland.
English