Barbara Roden
Free Press
The success of this year’s Santa Claus Parade in 100 Mile House has co-organizer Kristy Anderson pleased with the way everything worked out.
Anderson, along with Cheralyn Herrmann, stepped in to rescue the parade when it was in danger of being cancelled.
“It would have been awful for it not to happen,” Anderson says. “The kids really look forward to it.”
The pair hoped to double the number of entries, from 20 last year, and they came close this year with 35.
“Everyone put in so much work on their floats.”
Marshalling the entries was a huge task, she says adding Josh Dickerson, South Cariboo Recreation Centre manager, and his staff were a huge help.
“They lined everyone up and kept people in order.”
Anderson was in the marshalling area behind Save-On-Foods for much of the event, but says she’s heard that the crowd watching the parade was the best turnout in a long time and she has heard nothing but praise.
The award for best float went to the 100 Mile Figure Skating Club
“I walked along the street and spoke with about 50 people, and the kids really loved the float’s Frozen theme,” Anderson says, adding she hope for a few more donations from local businesses next year for the best float prize.
Asked what she’d do differently next Christmas, Anderson laughs.
“I’d make sure the mayor was in the second float. Apparently that’s traditional, but this year he was about 20th.”