Santa Claus is coming to Minden on Saturday, and he’s sticking around for a while.
The Minden Santa Claus Parade starts 11:00 a.m. at the S.G. Nesbitt Memorial Arena, coming down Parkside Street, south onto Bobcaygeon Road, and finishing at the parking off St. Germaine Street.
Candace McGuigan, Township Manager of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities, says they’ve got about 25 floats this year, all centred on the theme of “The Joy of Christmas.”
“We just had it open for the participants to kind of tap into what they feel is the joy of Christmas, so we’re looking really forward to seeing what those floats are going to look like,” says McGuigan. “There’s a Grinch float that’s happening, but for the other floats, they are kind of a surprise.”
The festivities don’t stop there—parade watchers can then head to the Minden Hills Cultural Centre for Christmas in the Village, which runs until 4:00 p.m.
McGuigan says it’s an artisan market full of festive vendors and baked goods, and the chance to walk through some heritage buildings, with admission by donation. Santa Claus will stick around until 2:00 p.m. for photos and Christmas wishes.
“People should come with their holiday and Christmas spirit, dress for the weather [and] make sure they’ve bundled up,” McGuigan advises. “And there will be some of Santa’s elves handing out candy canes for the people that are watching the parade.”
Santa Claus will be coming back to the county on Nov. 24 for the Haliburton Village Santa Claus Parade.