SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2024
1 Holidays in Winnipeg For more info go to mbhydrosantaparade.com or call (204) 77-SANTA Join Us! Saturday, November 16, 2024
View online at winnipegfreepress.com/
WATCH FOR THE HOLIDAY ISSUE OF
Join us as we highlight the best of food, beverage and travel in Manitoba!
Available in your Free Press (subscribers) on NOVEMBER 30 and at Manitoba Liquor Marts - while supplies last!
Please SAVOUR responsibly.
2
Join us at the pre-parade block party
Free hot chocolate and cookies Live band Games Christmas Cheer B oard on site collecting toy donations
Date: Saturday, Nov . 16 th | Time: 3 :30 – 5 pm Manitoba Hydro Place – 360 Portage Ave
For over 25 years, Manitoba Hydro has been involved with the Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade. That’s almost three decades of invaluable support for the community, and the event that serves as the unofficial kick-off to the holidays. “The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade allows us to demonstrate our ongoing dedication to community involvement,” says Alexis LaForest, supervisor of community investment at Manitoba Hydro. “We believe in the power of coming together to celebrate and support one another, and this event is a shining example the true spirit of Energy for Life.” In addition to being the title sponsor for the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade, the company is once again hosting its pre-parade Block Party. Head inside the main floor gallery Kris Kringle rides again in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade
at Manitoba Hydro Place at 360 Portage Avenue on November 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for a series of events, including live music, baton twirling, and free hot chocolate and cookies. The Christmas Cheer Board will collect new, unwrapped toys, pantry goods and financial donations on-site. Outside the gallery right on Portage Avenue, the touch-a-truck experience returns with your opportunity to take photos with a Manitoba Hydro bucket truck. Come early, grab a great spot for the upcoming parade and enjoy games and activities both inside and out. Watch for the Manitoba Hydro floats in the parade, including the horse-drawn Cinderella Pumpkin Carriage and the Candy Carousel, accompanied by Manitoba Hydro staff and their families! “Our commitment to the community goes beyond providing energy; it’s about fostering connections and creating memorable experiences,” said Alexis. “Manitoba Hydro employees are part of the communities we serve. The Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade is a perfect opportunity for us to give back and share in the holiday spirit with the families and
friends who make our province such a wonderful place to live.” The following week post-parade, you’re invited to the Manitoba Electrical Museum’s Watt a Season. The exhibit, programming and activities run Tuesday-Saturday from November 19-January 11. Visit electricalmuseum.ca to plan your visit this holiday season! Thank you to
3
Parade Director’s Message
Sleigh the holiday season at the 2024 Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 16 at 5 PM! This free, fun, family-friendly tradition unofficially kicks off the holiday season in Winnipeg and we’re thrilled to be back with bright floats and enthusiastic walking groups who bring the festive holiday vibes to downtown. We’re also excited to partner with the inaugural Winnipeg Christmas Market this year. Santa and his float will be on-site at this event to give you an up-close look at his ride and snap a
photo with the big man in red. The City of Winnipeg’s 150th year provides a unique opportunity to celebrate one of our biggest partners as our Grand Marshal this year. Congratulations to the City of Winnipeg, and thank you for your ongoing support of the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade! Thank you to all of the partners and sponsors, volunteers, team and Board of Directors, and all of you who attend this annual event … you are the reason this magical event has continued to happen for 115 years!
Your favourite new holiday tradition is just around the corner! The first-ever Winnipeg Christmas Market is coming to town Nov 28 – Dec 1 at the RBC Convention Centre. Delight in the best of the festive season under one roof: holiday pop-ups shops, live music and yuletide decor, and artisan eats, treats and cocktails. Explore 125+ artists, makers and designers from Winnipeg and across Canada – and find the perfect unique gift for everyone on your list. Take in live demos and hands-on workshops, from Pinterest-ready cookies to evergreen wreaths, and discover Christmas magic around every corner. Join us for live kids’ entertainment, Christmas props and
light displays, and photos with St. Nick and his parade float (complete with flying sleigh and reindeer)! Find everything you need to get into the festive spirit at Winnipeg’s indoor holiday wonderland! Get early bird tickets, explore our vendors and pre-book your workshop at winnipegchristmasmarket.com
4
PARADE STARTS AT 5
SPONSORED BLOCK PARTIES: 45 PM
PO
PARADE END
NO ACCESS: CLOSED STREET
GOLF CART SPONSOR
NAME SPONSOR
PARTNERS
NO FEET ON THE STREET PRESENTED BY
PRINT MED SPONSOR
5
Here’s what you should know to come prepared and ready to see Santa. PLAN YOUR PARADE EXPERIENCE • The parade starts at 5:00pm at Portage Avenue and Main Street and ends at Memorial Boulevard and St. Mary Avenue at approximately 6:30pm. • Check the website for details on the block parties and choose which one you want to attend. Arrive at 4:00pm to participate. • There are portable toilets available; check the map on the website for the ones closest to where you plan to be. ACCESSIBILITY • Areas in front of barricades and at the bottom of bleachers are reserved for handicap and wheelchair seat- ing. This also includes people with limited mobility like pregnant women, elderly and injured. STAY COMFORTABLE • Bring a thermos of hot chocolate to keep you warm and snacks to keep you happy. • Dress warmly and bring a blanket to wrap around you. • Bring a lawn chair, or a pillow/cushion to sit on if you plan to sit on the curb – the concrete is cold! Remember to be kind to those around you and make room for any- one who has special requirements. GETTING THERE AND BACK HOME • Walk, bike, bus or carpool if you can. Over 40,000 peo- ple will be coming downtown and there is limited parking. • If you are driving, plan to leave home with plenty of time. So many streets are closed to prepare for the pa- rade, it will take longer than usual to get there and find a parking spot. It may also be a bit of a walk to where you end up sitting. • On your way home, be patient. Remember that every- one else also wants to get home as soon as possible. ABOVE ALL, HAVE FUN! • Happy smiles and laughs from children of all ages fuel Santa’s sleigh and are the reason the Manitoba Hydro Santa Parade is 111 years old this year. • Show everyone your smile on Facebook and Instagram. Use #wpgsantaparade to make sure Santa sees them too!
5:00 PM
LEGEND
ACCESSIBLE PORTABLE TOILETS
PORTABLE TOILETS
ORTAGE AVE
SOUTHBOUND LANES CLOSED
DIA
6
Song Book HOLIDAY 2024 Available in your Community Review on Wednesday, December 18 m i s s
This year, Winnipeg marks 150 years as a city. The theme of our celebrations, Our shared stories. Our shared future., is an opportunity to reflect on our past and look ahead to our future. It’s been an incredible community journey in 2024 as we’ve celebrated our past and looked forward to a better, more inclusive tomorrow. We’ve honoured incredible Winnipeggers with the Winnipeg 150 medals, funded twelve community organizations with the Community Celebration Grant and raised money to support four major local performing arts organizations at the Winnipeg 150 Mayor’s Ball. Throughout the year, we’ve connected with people and organizations who have significantly enriched our community’s vibrancy. And kicking off the holiday season as the 2024 Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Grand Marshal is a perfect fit as we continue the Winnipeg 150 celebrations. The City of Winnipeg has been a significant supporter of the event for all 115 years of the parade. The parade is a family-friendly and free event that brings the community together in the heart of our city. It perfectly aligns with our Winnipeg 150 anniversary celebrations, and we look forward to celebrating the start of the holiday season! We’re honoured to bring together City departments, services, partners, employees and citizens as we all experience this year’s parade. Let the Winnipeg 150 celebrations continue! Help Us Spread Some Holiday Cheer Bring a non-perishable food item or a new, unwrapped gift and volunteers from the Christmas Cheer Board will collect your donation for use in the 18,000 Christmas hampers they create each year. Thank you for your support!
7
Join us for a fantastic, festive experience in downtown Winnipeg on Saturday, November 16th. Check out everything you need to know about this year’s parade below. Map it out. The parade will follow the route that debuted last year. We’re starting at Portage and Main anwe? This updated route allows us to reduce traffic disruptions and provide a smoother experience. That being said, there are still road closures and Winnipeg Transit reroutes in place so make your way downtown early. Stay on the nice list by carpooling, walking or taking Winnipeg Transit if you can. If only we all had flying reindeer like someone else we know… Look alive at 5! We’re returning to a nighttime parade so get ready for all the lights and sounds of the season! Our incredible Grand Marshal leads the parade down Portage Avenue, starting at 5 PM. Come early to enjoy the Block Parties. Enjoy free activities from community partners from 4 PM - 5 PM to stay entertained and warm while you wait for Santa! Check out the map on pages 4-5 for the Block Party locations. Dress for success. It’s winter in Winnipeg! Bundle up from head to toe. Throw on an extra pair of socks, don a toque, and wear your fuzziest mittens to protect those fingers from freezing. Community cheer. Bring a non-perishable food item or a new, unwrapped gift for the Christmas Cheer Board. They’ll collect your donation along the route or you can donate at the Giving Tree at the Manitoba Hydro building atrium at 360 Portage Avenue. This wonderful charity provides 18,000 Christmas hampers each year and we all thank you for your support! Get set for this year’s Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade!
8
Holiday Programs & Family Activities Open: Tuesday To Saturday November 19 - January 11
Closed: Dec. 24, 25, 26 & 31 Jan. 1
680 Harrow Street, Winnipeg, MB electricalmuseum.ca 204-360-7905
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Powered by FlippingBook