Ottawa crowd enjoys mild, sunny weather for Santa Toy Parade

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Ottawa got its first taste of the holiday season Saturday morning despite the warm and sunny weather at the Help Santa Toy Parade.

Eager participants began setting up in front of Ottawa’s city hall well before the parade took off at around 11 a.m.

Floats from organizations like the Ottawa Fire Services band, OC Transpo, Firehouse Subs and the Ottawa Blackjacks basketball team travelled from Elgin Street, over to Bank Street and then all the way south to Lansdowne Park.

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Crowds of spectators, some wearing costumes and plenty of kids lined the streets as the floats moved along the route.

Attendees were treated to dogs in costumes, mascots, horses, a seemingly endless supply of candy canes and, of course, Santa.

Cameron Taylor, chair of the Help Santa Toy Parade Committee with the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association, has been a firefighter for 14 years and has been organizing the event for four years, although it’s actually his third parade due to COVID.

“We get to bring some joy to this city, we get to have a lot of fun, kick off the Christmas season and, on top of that, we get to raise money and toys.”

55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Volunteers greeted children and collected donations a the 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade in Ottawa on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

“Not everybody can afford to put toys under the tree.”

Taylor said all of the toys go to CTV and MOVE 100’s Toy Mountain.

“All the toys stay local and 100 per cent of our donations go to buying toys,” Taylor said.

During the parade, firefighters walked alongside the floats, collecting card and cash donations in firefighter rubber boots.

Austin Kattackal stood along Elgin Street on Saturday morning with a big bag of toys in hand, ready to donate.

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55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Kids crowd the sidewalks at the annual Help Santa Toy Parade Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

“Most of us are very fortunate, we have a job, we can put food on the table,” Kattackal said, adding that it’s important to think of those who are less fortunate.

Denis Charbonneau, one of the owners of Ottawa Firehouse Subs, which also had a float at the parade, said it’s great to take part in holiday festivities and give back to the community.

The parade made its way to Lansdowne Park at around 12:30 p.m. after a brief traffic delay, where a large crowd of people waited for the floats’ arrivals.

Councillor Marty Carr was one of the elected officials on the city’s float. Saturday was her second time taking part in the parade, which she called a “joyful, family-friendly event.”

“The purpose is excellent,” said Carr, who represents Alta Vista Ward. “Just to see the kids and see all the excitement that they’re looking forward to the holiday season, it’s just a really fun time.”

55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
A family of firefighters march along in the annual Help Santa Toy Parade put on by the Ottawa Professional Firefighters Association. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Ottawa police motorcycles cleared the route and led the way.. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Drummers in a marching band played as they made their way along the parade route at the 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Santa stretches out to high-five a young fan at the annual Help Santa Toy Parade. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
The 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade brought festive cheer to Ottawa on Saturday as the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters Association led the vibrant procession to support Toy Mountain. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
A parade just isn’t a parade with at least one marching band. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
The Ottawa Redblacks had a float in the 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
The parade included dogs dressed for the festive season. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
A child in the parade was dressed as a firefighter . Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
The 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade brought festive cheer to Ottawa on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Its not Bill Murray but the Ghostbusters were present at the parade. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
The 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade brought festive cheer to Ottawa on Saturday, November 16, 2024, as the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters Association led the vibrant procession to support Toy Mountain. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Families crowd the sidewalks at the annual Help Santa Toy Parade Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
The 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade brought festive cheer to Ottawa on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
A volunteer collected toys along the parade route, ensuring that local children in need would have gifts to unwrap this Christmas. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
An OC Transpo bus disguised as Santa made its way along the parade route. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
The 55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade brought festive cheer to Ottawa on Saturday, November 16, 2024, as the Ottawa Professional Fire Fighters Association led the vibrant procession to support Toy Mountain. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe along with a group of city councillors joined the holiday cheer on the City of Ottawa float Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Volunteers collected toys along the parade route, ensuring that local children in need would have gifts to unwrap this Christmas. With donations in the form of new, unwrapped toys, as well as cash and “Tap” donations, the parade continues to bring the community together to spread holiday joy and support this important cause. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
A young woman waves from the cab of a fire truck. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Santa was the star of the show on Saturday, delighting spectators as he waved to excited children and posed for countless photos, all while spreading holiday cheer along the parade route. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA
55th annual Help Santa Toy Parade
Santa was the star of the show on Saturday, delighting spectators as he waved to excited children and posed for countless photos, all while spreading holiday cheer along the parade route. Photo by Ashley Fraser /POSTMEDIA

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