By Melissa Smalley
Though there may still be a few weeks of fall left on the calendar, organizers of this year's annual Santa Claus Parade are already hard at work planning the festivities, which they hope will be the biggest and best yet in 100 Mile House.
This year's celebration is set for Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. along Birch Avenue, where local community groups, businesses, clubs and residents will showcase their Christmas spirit.
According to organizer Janet Lilly, this year, participants are being asked to incorporate a 'Santa's workshop' theme into their floats and parade entries.
"This could be anything from dressing up like elves or tin soldiers to decorating the trucks like they came from the North Pole," Lilly explains. "It should be a lot of fun."
If it seems like preparations for the parade are underway earlier than normal, she says organizers are actively getting the word out to the community in an effort to generate more participation and excitement than ever before.
Lilly says she hopes clubs and organizations from all reaches of the community – and of all ages – will participate in this year's event.
"We're going to try and get some of the seniors' communities to take part with their buses. It's a big evening out for the seniors, to get to see all the people waving at them, and all the kids."
Lilly adds she also plans to approach the grad class at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School for participation.
There are also big – albeit top secret – plans in the works for Santa's arrival into town for the parade, which Lilly says are sure to delight the little ones in attendance.
In addition to spreading the word about participation, she says organizers are reminding residents and business owners about parking restrictions on Birch Avenue on the day of the parade; no vehicles will be allowed to park on either side of the street after 4:30 p.m.
"It's a big safety hazard for kids and the drivers of the floats to have people parked there."
Following the parade will be the South Cariboo Health Foundation's Starry Nights event at the 100 Mile District General Hospital, as well as Moonlight Madness' shopping event.
Registration forms are available for pick up at Our Kitchen Corner, Garth's Electric and the 100 Mile House Free Press, and Lilly urges everyone to sign up early and encourage others to do the same.
"The more floats, the better!"