Fort Frances Santa Claus parade welcoming more participants

The call is out for participants for this year’s Santa Claus Parade in Fort Frances.

The Fort Frances Kiwanis Club is again organizing the parade.

It is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 28th, beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The parade will begin at the former Shevlin Woodyard, travelling west down Scott Street and end at Central Avenue.

To register a float, email fortfrances.santa@gmail.com.

Club member Karla Rogozinski says there is no theme, but they would like to see a lot of lights and music.

“Anybody can participate. It can be a group. It can be a family. It could be a church. It could be your workplace. It could be anybody. The more the merrier,” says Rogozinski.

A sensory area between Reid and Bulter Avenues will again be in place during the parade.

Parade participants will be restricted from operating flashing lights for the benefit of those with sensory issues.

“We started the second year with that as a suggestion from a community member,” says club member Brad Scoyne.

“We absolutely ran with the idea and have had great success with that sensory section and see a lot of young children there and others that maybe just don’t like the lights and sirens.”

The Club is also welcoming anyone who would like to assist with the parade.

Rogozinski says they have four blow-up costumes they would like someone to wear during the parade.

Scoyne also thanks the support they have received.

“We couldn’t do this without the support of Fort Francis businesses, the town of Fort Frances, especially for shutting down Scott Street for us and making sure everybody’s safe to participate,” says Scoyne.

The Kiwanis Club is also running a colouring contest to coincide with the parade.

Scoyne says a colouring page and contest details are distributed by area schools.

“You just colour that with your kids. The dates listed on the parade are there as a reminder. The ballot at the bottom of the colouring page can be returned to your school and entered into a draw to win,” says Scoyne.

“We’ll have four prize winners from the ballot entries. If you’re homeschooled, you can pick up the colouring pages at Sunset Country Ford or at the RBC branch.”

You can visit the Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances Facebook and Instagram pages for more information about the parade and registration details.