Freedom House church is taking over organizing the Brantford Santa Claus Parade.
Brantford city council recently approved a one-time operational grant of $5,000 to Freedom House to offset initial costs related to the storage maintenance and inspection of Santa’s sleigh and the development of new signs, branding and other marketing materials.
In future years, it’s anticipated ongoing costs related to the parade can be offset through sponsorship and donations, said a report from city staff.
Freedom House will be in charge of the parade starting this year.
“The parade is a treasured and vial part of our community’s life flow and it would be an honor to continue to uphold and make sure that this marvelous tradition continues in Brantford,” Dave Carrol, president and lead pastor of Freedom House, said in a letter to the city.
“Our team of skilled volunteers, support from the city and city staff, along with other community members engaged in volunteerism, will ensure the level of excellence that Brantford has become accused to.”
In 2022, the City of Brantford took over operation of the parade, which returned after a two-year absence.
The parade had been organized by Brantford JCI, a non-profit organization of young people, for more than 40 years.
At the time, city CAO Brian Hutchings said Brantford was one of the few cities offering an evening parade.
The JCIs announced last year the group didn’t have the capacity to continue to operate the event.
In a letter to the city, Shawn Stemmler, a former JCI member and parade chair, said COVID-19 pandemic restrictions impacted the group’s ability to plan and coordinate the parade during the pandemic.
“Our volunteer base was seriously compromised through the pandemic and, as such, our JCI Charter, unfortunately, is no longer active with several of our members either moving out of the community or aging out of the organization. These reason combined resulted in our lack of ability to lead the parade.”
Stemmler said they would be working with Freedom House to transfer ownership of assets, including Santa’s sleigh.
The parade attracts thousands of spectators who line the streets to watch the festive spectacle.
The 2023 event will mark the 47th annual Santa Claus parade, traditionally held the last Saturday in November.
City staff will continue to provide logistics and planning support though its special events advisory team.
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