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Ladysmith Fire Rescue’s Santa Parade brings joy to the community

The Santa Parade has been a Ladysmith tradition for around 50 years
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Ladysmith Fire Rescue’s mascot, Sparky poses with Ladysmith kids (Cole Schisler photo)

The Ladysmith Fire Rescue Santa Claus Parade brought smiles to the faces of Ladysmith families once again this year.

The Santa Claus Parade is Ladysmith Fire Rescue’s biggest event of the year. The parade is a long standing Ladysmith tradition – so long standing that nobody is exactly sure when it started. Fire Chief Ray Delcourt said the parade has been a part of Ladysmith for around 50 years.

“It takes a lot of time, and commitment,” Delcourt said. “Families have grown with this event over the years, and been part of it.”

There were six stops on the parade: Brown Drive Park, 4th Avenue & French Street, 4th Avenue & Methuen Street, the Diamond Hall, 1st Avenue at the Wigwam, and Davis Road & Battie Street. They also stopped at La Rosa’s and the Lodge on 4th earlier in the day. Trucks for the parade floats were donated by Coastal Trucking.

Delcourt said that Ladysmith Fire Rescue always plans the event on the Sunday closest to Christmas. That way, family visiting from outside Ladysmith also have a chance to enjoy the parade.

There have been years where the firemen were called out during the parade. The firetrucks lead the parade to ensure they can be dispatched quickly in the event of an emergency. Typically, the entire fire department attends the event, so that the fire department can respond to calls and keep the parade running smoothly.

“This is something we do in the community, and we like to do it. It brings every one together,”Declourt said. “My favourite part about this is being with the community, and bringing Santa to the children.”

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Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and the Ladysmith Ambassadors wished the community a merry Christmas (Cole Schisler photo)




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