Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Newburgh will host its first ever Santa Claus parade on Dec. 5 starting at 1:30 p.m.
Hosted by the Newburgh Community and the Newburgh Centreville Pastoral Charge, the parade will feature a wide variety of colourful floats, headlined by St. Nick himself.
“We had a gentleman tell us that he couldn’t praise us enough for organizing such a thing,” said Deb Thompson, one of the parade organizers. “He has never seen a parade in Newburgh and he’s so excited to be able to come and sit in a relative’s window and watch the parade from the house if it’s cold. There will be a lot of people that will be able to watch it from their home. That’s why we went with afternoon. The kids can get out and play and laugh and see Santa and the seniors can do the same and then we’ve got the people in between.”
The parade will depart from Newburgh Public School, head north on East Street, west on Baldwin Street, south on Main Street and then will turn onto Factory Street and finish at Conservation Park where kids can have their picture taken with Santa.
Along the route volunteers will be collecting non-perishable food items and new winter clothing to assist those in need within the community. Kids can also bring their letters for Santa, which will also be collected and delivered to the North Pole.
“We have a good selection of floats so far and people are really getting energetic and enthusiastic about it all happening in Stone Mills,” said Thompson.
Following the parade there will be cider and hot chocolate available at the Newburgh Community Hall.
Floats are still being accepted. Those looking to take part in the parade can call 613-539-7445 or 613-217-1819.
Keeping with the Christmas theme, there will be a drive-through live nativity scene in the parking lot of Centreville United Church on Dec. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Guests will remain in their vehicle at all times. Cash donations as well as non-perishable food items will also be accepted for the Morningstar Mission.
Vehicles will enter Victoria Street off County Rd 4 at the municipal office where they will be directed by signs to the event.