Holidays in Winnipeg

02 - H O L I D A Y S I N W I N N I P E G 2 0 1 6 IN WINNIPEG Get to the Parade on time: The Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade starts at 5 p.m Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 beginning at Portage Avenue and Young Street and heading east down Portage Avenue to Main Street, and south on Main Street to Sir William Stephenson Way. Street closures begin on Portage Avenue at 2:30 p.m., followed by Main Street closures at 3:30 p.m. Winnipeg Transit will re-route some of its regular bus routes. For route and schedule information, visit www.winnipegtransit.ca or call 311. BRING THIS AD WITH YOU FOR ONE FREE ADMISSION 31 st Annual Traditional German Christmas Market Unique Products & Gifts! Local crafters, German imports, café & bakery, children's corner, hourly entertainment & more ... NEW LOCATION: Holy Cross Hall, 290 Dubuc Street, Winnipeg, MB. Admission: $2.00/person; $5.00/family Dates: Saturday, November 26, 9:00a.m.- 8:00p.m. Sunday, November 27, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00p.m. Contact: German-Canadian Congress 204-989-8300 www.gccmb.ca To ensure everyone has a great view of the Parade, outdoor accessible viewing is o!ered at every intersection on the route, marked by a sign that reads Yield to Accessible Viewing. If you or someone you are with needs assistance to be seated here, just let the volunteers at each block know and they will help you. Limited indoor accessible viewing is also available. It's free, but tickets are required. Submit a request for a ticket online at www. WinnipegSantaParade.com (go to Parade Info). Indoor seating is limited and assigned on a "rst-come, "rst-served basis, so sign up early! Manitoba Hydro, MTS and Portage Place are opening their skywalks, and the Independent Living Resource Centre (ILRC) is organizing the indoor seating. ILRC consultant Chelsey Sommer"eld says the partnership with the Parade is an excellent example of building community. "Often, people think of access as expensive or labour intensive, but the reality is that if you think about equal participation, the solutions are often easy. Creating access for Parade-goers is an example of how simple solutions can provide equal opportunity for participation so everyone can enjoy these kinds of events." Accessible Viewing CELEBRATE THE SEASON at the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade! BY WENDY KING FIND YOUR TOQUE AND UNPACK YOUR MERRY! IT'S TIME FOR THE WINNIPEG SANTA CLAUS PARADE! SATURDAY, NOV. 12 AT 5 P.M. IS WHEN THE FLOATS START ROLLING. "The Santa Claus Parade is a free event and it's open to all people," says Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade executive director Ron Mark. The annual celebration and its wide variety of entries from not-for-pro"t groups, businesses and other organizations encompass the entire extended community. "People come from all over the province, and we get many people from out of province who come in for the Parade and stay to visit family and then start their shopping for the holidays," Mark says. "And the Parade is especially exciting for newcomers to the province, as it's one of their "rst big experiences with the culture of the city." Block parties start at 4 p.m. and people can come down early to hear Camerata Nova in concert in the atrium at the Manitoba Hydro Building at 2 p.m. "We are encouraging people to carpool and take the bus and check street closures and changes to bus routes," he says. Mark reminds everyone to layer up in warm clothing and to keep an eye on the weather. Parade-goers can be outside in the cold for a couple of hours before the Parade ends at 6:30 p.m. There are approximately 10 new entries this year, bringing the total to about 80. "People really step up from year to year to add to their entries. They make them a little more exciting and entertaining for the children and teens coming out to watch the Parade," says Mark. Archangel Fireworks will once again present world-class pyrotechnical shows at three spots along the Parade route — near the Rice Building, Portage Place and at Portage and Main Street. "Archangel Fireworks is a great company and their display is presented from the building tops with no big bangs to worry about," he says. "Once Santa leaves a block the pyrotechnics go o!, so that is your signal that he is coming closer!" Santa's arrival at the end of the Parade is also the o$cial kicko! for Santa's Village in Portage Place, where kids of all ages can get their pictures taken and walk away with a sweet treat and a warm memory. "Portage Place loves to partner with the Santa Claus Parade and bring the spirit of the season to all Winnipeggers," says Dave Stone, manager of Portage Place. Mark notes that Portage Place also provides an o$ce for the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade, where organizers work hard to present a merry downtown celebration year after year. "We are so very proud to be a downtown event." Find all the details at www.WinnipegSantaParade.com

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