A local groups quest to revive the Bonnyville Santa Claus parade received a huge boost of support from Town Council last week.
Council unanimously voted in favour of the event and plans to work with the local committee to ensure the downtown Christmas celebration becomes a reality.
“We are in support,” said Mayor Gene Sobolewski. “I'd be excited to help put (a parade) on.”
Vonda Worthman and Amy Sooley, two members of the Santa Claus parade committee, pitched an updated version of their vision to council at the municipalities regular meeting on Aug. 25.
“It's been way too long (since this community) had a Santa Claus parade – I've never experienced one in the entire time I've lived here,” said Worthma, who has lived in town since 2006. “Bonnyville is a community that has a great number of young families who we feel are eager be a part of such a family event.”
According to the councillors and those seeking the parades revival, it has been over a decade since Bonnyville hosted their own Santa Claus parade. The community used to run one annually but stopped in the early 2000's after its last parade attracted just ten floats.
Worthman and Sooley feel the 2015 parade would need to garner at least 30 floats in order to make the event a go.
The two already spent a few days spreading a small survey out to email contacts and Facebook friends trying to gauge community interest in holding a parade.
In the survey, 112 people responded that they had attended Santa Claus Parade's in other communities in past years. Furthermore, 163 people said they would attend a parade if one were to be held in Bonnyville.
Council was very receptive to the idea of bringing back the Santa Claus parade and was willing to help the local committee move forward with the idea.
“Everybody loves a parade, we all know that,” said Coun. Jim Cheverie. “I think the businesses would definitely support something that would support downtown business. It would be an excellent opportunity for the business people to promote Christmas shopping downtown.”
While many ideas were tossed around during the meeting, there are still a variety of details that need to be worked out.
As of right now it appears the committee is hoping to organize an evening parade, with at least 30 floats full of Christmas lights. The parade would run from one end of main street to the other.
“We are committed and eager residents who would like to work with the town to make this a reality,” said Worthman.
Counc. Rene Van Brabant was also in support of the idea and plans to bring the concept to the Chamber of Commerce's next meeting. The hope is that the Chamber can help spread the word and get information out the business community.
Worthman and Town administration planned to keep in contact over the coming weeks to move the process forward and contact other community's organizations that might want to help.
Although an official date for the parade has yet to be set Bonnyville is well on its way to hosting a Santa Claus parade this December.
