Big crowds expected for Toronto's Santa Claus Parade

Santa Clause came to town Sunday at the 108th annual parade held in his honour. (STAN BEHAL, Toronto Sun)

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Santa Claus has come to town.

And he was greeted by tens of thousands of Torontonians who lined downtown streets to catch a glimpse of the jolly old elf during the annual Santa Clause Parade.

Crowds, in some places a dozen people deep, cheered as Santa and his reindeer passed by. Legions of children lined the parade route, some even chanting ?Santa, Santa?.

Among Chris Kringle?s big supporters was 10-year-old Rachel Bliss, who camped in the front row on University Ave., clad in a set of reindeer antlers with little bells on them.

?I?m wearing them to celebrate the season,? she said from her fold-out chair right next to the parade route.

Rachel wasn?t shy about sharing her affection for Mr. Claus, but her Christmas wish list, well, that?s another thing.

?It?s a secret,? she said, saying she will share it that with Santa.

Five-year-old Lola Lynas wasn?t bashful about her Christmas wish list. Face pressed against a guardrail on University Ave., she was waiting for Santa Claus to pass by so she could shout out to him her heart?s desires.

?I want a Furby,? she shouted, jumping up and down.

Lola was with her mother, Julie, who had fond memories of coming to the parade as a child. It?s a tradition she was eager to pass on.

?My favourite part is Santa, typically,? she said. ?This is our third year coming together.?

Goodies were handed out to the kids. Candy, small bracelets that read ?I Saw Santa? and even stuffed animals were tossed into the crowd.

Any float that seemed to sport a toy got a big cheer out of the youthful crowd, with the LEGO and Barbie floats sparking special excitement.

Six-year-old Nicholas Dellelce said he was most impressed by the marching drum bands. Bands from North Bay, New York State and St. Catharines took turns wowing the crowd along the parade route ? one even dancing Gangnam Style during their routine.

Dellelce?s father, Perry, lauded parade organizers for putting on a great show.

?It?s a nice start to the Christmas season,? he said. ?They do a great job with the parade every year.?

Toronto Sun reporter Shawn Jeffords provided live coverage of the parade:

Have you sent your wish list to Santa this year?

Source: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/18/big-crowds-expected-for-torontos-santa-claus-parade

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