
A float at the 2022 Santa Claus Parade in Kamloops. (Photo via Downtown Kamloops)
Mark your calendars Kamloops as the Kamloops Santa Claus parade will take over the downtown core on Sunday, Nov. 26.
Howie Reimer, the Executive Director of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, says the theme this year is A World of Celebration.
“We want everybody to feel welcome at the parade. We have had people that have suggested that even though its the Santa Claus parade and its not the Christmas parade, that it still has Christian undertones,” Reimer said on the NL Noon Report. ”
“We want to make sure that everybody feels welcome. We want everybody to celebrate and join us.”
Reimer says the KCBIA is partnering with TRU World, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary of promoting Thompson Rivers University to international students from over 100 countries.
“Our vibrant community of international students, esteemed alumni, and dedicated staff and faculty have left a lasting mark on Kamloops and its global connections,” Baihua Chadwick, TRU’s Vice-President International, said in a statement,
“Throughout each step of this incredible journey, the Kamloops community has warmly embraced and celebrated our students.”
Reimer says the 2023 Santa Claus parade will be capped at 55 floats, with applications opening next Wednesday, Sept. 13. Registrations will be open on a first come, first served basis until Oct. 27, unless all of the spots are filled before.
“It really caps the time at about an hour and fifteen minutes to an hour and a half at the very most, and that is just about perfect, particularly for little kids who want to see Santa Claus and he is the star of the parade, he is the last float,” Reimer said, when asked about the decision to limit the parade to 55 floats.
“If you’re downtown early, its going to be a long wait for Santa Claus if you are not going to cap it.”
Parade festivities will begin at 3:40 p.m. on Nov. 26, while the parade itself gets going at 4 p.m.