Yorkton’s lucky to have an event like the annual Santa Claus Parade. It has evolved beyond just a parade, being an entire day of activities for people of all ages, and it’s a great event for kids young and old, an entire day to get out, enjoy the city, see the sights, and get a visit from old Santa Claus himself.
Thanks have to go out to Santa, as well as his many helpers in the Yorkton Business Improvement District, the City of Yorkton, local businesses and volunteers who make his annual visit possible. It’s a collaborative effort, and Santa’s got enough on his plate to organize everything on his own. After all, he’s got a huge number of kids to visit and a Christmas toy run to prepare for, it’s amazing that he can get out here for as long as he does.
We need to be grateful that he can make the time for an entire day of activities in town. Of course, Yorkton has some pull with the jolly old elf, and his close working relationship with YBID Executive Director Phil de Vos has to be at least part of the reason why he can spend all day in the city.
After all, Santa really can bring the joy of Christmas to people of all ages, and he makes the parade more magical than it would be otherwise. After all, how many kids are amazed that Santa remembers some of the things their own parents did back when he brought them Christmas presents? Santa has a fantastic memory, and kids might not realize how long he’s been in the business. Just having them know about the time their mom or dad got dangerously close to the naughty list can’t help but remind them to be good themselves. It’s a special moment when Santa takes the time to show kids just how much he knows.
It’s also great that no matter how old he is, Santa is still able to command an entire street. You know when Santa is coming long before he gets there, his loud voice can be heard in almost the entire town, like an old town crier beckoning people to Broadway to enjoy the parade and take in the sights. It’s a great way to bring the community together.
The Santa Claus Parade is a reminder that no matter how big Yorkton gets, it began as a small town, and it can still has a small town spirit in the best of ways. It’s something that brings everyone together, and having a day of connected, free activities shows that Yorkton remains a closely knit community, even if it can feel as though we are spread apart sometimes.
It really wouldn’t be possible without Santa himself, so let’s give some appreciation to Santa and his many assistants, for bringing together an event that truly showcases the best of Yorkton. It’s the kind of thing that puts an entire city on his nice list.
