By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
Ridgetown’s Sesquicentennial anniversary will be celebrated once more.
‘150 Years of Ridgetown Christmases’ is the theme of the 76th annual Ridgetown Kiwanis Club’s Christmas parade, which takes place on Saturday, Dec. 13, starting at 1 p.m.
Hundreds of people will line Main St. to see the many floats and entries, as kids eagerly wait to see Santa Claus, who will be taking a little time off from his hectic Christmas schedule to make a special trip to town and be part of the parade.
“We’re looking for folks to decorate their floats to reflect on Christmas in Ridgetown through the years,” said Greg Roberts, of the Kiwanis Club. “It can be from the pioneer days, maybe how Christmas looked in the 1930s, 40s or from any time.”
“It will be interesting to see how people fit the theme into their floats.,” stated Roberts.
There is no registration or entry fee to enter a float – or any other parade entry.
Service clubs, organizations, businesses and individuals who would like to participate in the parade can simply show up at the marshalling area at Ridgetown District High School on Harold St. by 12 noon, and they will be placed in succession.
The Kiwanis Club will be handing out prizes for the top floats in seven categories. The best overall float will receive $300. There will also be $200 prizes in six other categories – best decorated, best youth, best organization, best commercial, best costume and best in theme. The only restriction is that entries may not include Santa Claus on their floats.
The festive atmosphere will continue in the Royal Bank parking lot, where Santa Claus will host a post-parade party, with kids aged 12 and under having a chance to win fabulous prizes in the annual Christmas Gift Draw.Before the parade, families are encouraged to visit the Royal Bank to register their children for the prize draw.
Families can then take their spot on Main St. for the parade and return to the Royal Bank lot afterwards for the draw, as kids must be present to win a prize.
The parade starts at 1 p.m. at RDHS on Harold St., then heads west on Main St. to its end at West St.
Anyone with questions about the parade can call Roberts at 519-784-1871 or send an email to gregmroberts@gmail.com
