Beaches Santa Claus Parade set for this afternoon along Kingston Road

The Beaches Santa Claus Parade is set for this afternoon along Kingston Road.

Presented by Centre 55, the parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 17.

The parade route starts at Kingston Road and Victoria Park Avenue and then heads west along Kingston Road before turning north at Walter Street, just before Main Street. The parade will end at Centre 55, 97 Main St.

Olympic gold medallist and East Toronto resident Aaron Brown will be the Parade Marshal for this year’s parade.

A member of the Canadian men’s 4×100-metre relay team that won the gold medal at this summer’s Paris Olympic Games, Brown grew up locally and attended Bowmore Road Public School and later Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.

Along with Parade Marshal Brown, this afternoon’s parade will also feature numerous bands, marching groups from local businesses and organizations, and of course Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford, Beaches-East York MPP Mary-Margaret McMahon, and Beaches-East York MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith will also be taking part in the parade.

The team from Beach Metro Community News will also be taking part in the parade so look for us along Kingston Road and give us a wave.

Along with celebrating the upcoming holiday season, the Beaches Santa Claus Parade marks the start of fundraising for Centre 55’s Share A Christmas program.

Now in its 43rd year, Share A Christmas helps to make the holidays easier for East Toronto families in need. More than 1,000 local families will be helped during this year’s campaign.

Share A Christmas is in need of cash donations, toy donations and volunteers to help make this year’s campaign a success. For information on how you can help, please go to https://www.centre55.com/programs/share-a-christmas/

Those attending today’s parade are reminded to bring Toonies for volunteers to collect in support of Share A Christmas. Also, donations of new unwrapped toys will be accepted at Community Centre 55 after the parade.

Sponsor for this year’s parade is Fearless Meat on Kingston Road.