Holiday spirit won’t be the only thing in the air when local families pack downtown Main Street Sunday, Nov. 17.
A hint of nostalgia will present itself as well, via numerous floats surrounding this year’s Christmas Through the Decades theme for the 91st annual Milton Santa Claus Parade.
“It’s going to be quite exciting with all the floats in relation to that. And we’ve checked to make sure there’s no duplications,” said committee president Michael Vertolli. “Bing Crosby’s one that punched out at me, just because I can remember my grandparents and parents playing that (White Christmas) when I was a kid.”
Hinting at some impressive 1950s and ‘80s floats as well, Vertolli said that as always the parade will include its allotted 60 floats and bands – which this year will feature both the Burlington Jr. Red Coats and internationally-renowned Burlington Teen Tour Band.
Final preparations, he said, “are going great.”
Along with his eight-member committee that put in anywhere from 100-200 hours to bring the event to fruition, there’s 175-plus volunteers that contribute an average of 10 hours either before or during the festivities.
Running along Main Street – from Whitmer Street to the GO station – the parade runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and is expected to draw several thousand residents.
Event-goers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Salvation Army Food Bank, while Canada Post volunteers will be on hand to collect letters to Santa right before the guest of honour makes his appearance.