Santa Claus is coming to downtown Chatham Friday night.
The parade gets underway at 6pm and starts on the Lacroix St. bridge before heading down King St. to the WISH Centre.
"It's just amazing how many people get behind this parade, it's a wonderful community parade," says Cari Passien with the Downtown Chatham Centre. "We're so lucky to be able to do this parade every year and get sponsors to help us out."
Organizers have a couple special guests lined up.
"There were no bands last year at all in the parade, so this year we have the Port Huron Marching Band, we have the Royal Canadian Legion Pipe Band," says Passien. "Teksavvy, their float has a live band playing country music on it. Right now we have 98 entries in the parade."
A number of groups will be collecting items along the route.
"Canada Post is going to be collecting the letters to Santa, so that's very important for all the kids to get their letters written this week and bring them Friday," says Passien. "There's going to be mittens distrusted near the beginning of the parade. Bring some canned goods because OPP and various organizations are going to be collecting canned goods along the way."
Tobram Electric Supply will be collecting teddy bears and plush toys.
This is the last year the Downtown Chatham Centre will be the lead organizers of the parade. Any groups, people, or organizations who are interested in taking over can contact Cari through their Facebook page.
Parade route information for the 2016 Downtown Chatham Santa Claus Parade. (Photo courtesy of the Downtown Chatham Centre.
