LONDON

'Drive-by' or 'reverse parade' formats mean several local Santa Claus Parades are a go

Justin Zadorsky
Published Tuesday, October 27, 2020 6:42AM EDT

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LONDON, ONT -- With Halloween Saturday, is it too early to talk about the Santa Claus Parade? Because several will be happening thanks to drive-by formats.

Instead of the parade driving by you, you will drive by the parade.

After the success of Canada’s only pandemic Drive-in Airshow the London International Airport will be playing host to the London Santa Claus Parade this year.

After the City of London made the decision not to issue any parade permits for the rest of 2020 many people assumed that was it for parades.

However, the organizers of London’s Santa Claus Parade were determined to come up with a solution.

On Saturday Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. parade goers will be able to drive through the grounds of the airport and drive by all the floats, including seeing Saint Nick himself.

This year’s theme for the parade is Christmas in the City.

For more information you visit the London Santa Claus Parade website.

What about other local parades?

As for other area parades one is following the lead of the London parade while another has cancelled for the year.

While the Argyle Parade will not be running the Hyde Park Parade - "Here Come's Santa" will be a drive-by format like the London main parade.

The Hyde Park Parade will be on Dec. 5, in the Lowes Parking lot on Hyde Park Road at Fanshawe Park Road.

The estimated start time is 12:30 p.m until 3:00 p.m.

Musical guest, Tara Dunphy will be performing Crhristmas classics.

Food and new toy donations will be accepted.

St. Thomas will also be seeing a twist in their parade plans.

After initially deciding not to have a parade at all plans have now been made for a “reverse parade.”

The reverse parade will be held in Pinafore Park on Dec. 4 through Dec. 6 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.