Santa’s tips for enjoying the parade November 19, 2011, 11 a.m.
Allow two and a half hours for your outing, including waiting, the parade itself and time needed to leave the area.
Dress in warm, comfortable clothing so you are prepared for any kind of weather. Bring along extra blankets, socks and mittens just in case.
Check what time the first float will be passing by on the map of downtown showing the parade route. You should plan on arriving at least 45 minutes beforehand to get a good vantage point along the route. The first float leaves the corner of Fort Street at 11 a.m.
Public transit (metro and bus) is the best way to get to the parade. Tip: it’s free for children! With the STM’s Family Outings program, an adult, upon presentation of a valid fare, can travel with up to five children under the age of 12 on the STM network Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
For all the details: www.stm.info Metro: Atwater, Guy-Concordia, Peel or McGill
If you drive, plan on parking in the sector at least one hour before the parade. Many of the streets that cross Sainte Catherine will be closed to traffic between De Maisonneuve and René Lévesque.
To make sure that everyone in your party, young and old, is with you when you leave, designate a meeting place in case one of you gets lost. Instruct your children to stay in constant eye contact with you.
For your own safety, never cross the street while the parade is going by.
Put on your best smile and enjoy some memorable moments, thanks to the magic of the parade!
Everything you wanted to know about 2011 Santa’s workshop
Did you know that Santa’s team works an average of 1,000 hour to create a large parade float?
Many different types of elves work on producing a float:
- Welder-elves
- Sculptor-elves
- Electrician elves
- Carpenter-elves
- Painter-elve
- Mechanic-elves
The average float weighs 3,000 kilograms.
Each float is equipped with a generator (8,000 to 12,000 watts).
All of the large floats have sound systems.
About 1000 people appear in the Santa Claus Parade.
More than 500 costumes and 200 props were produced for the parade.
On the day of the parade, more than 150 people work hard to make sure Santa gets a warm welcome:
- Float and mini-float drivers (20)
- Mechanics, electricians and production managers (20)
- Costumers and make-up artists for entertainers (20)
- Tech support personnel (10)
- Sound technicians (6)
- Greeters (20)
- Security staff (100)
More than 95 radios transmitters are needed to make the parade run smoothly.
