By Daryl Major

Santa Claus parade takes over downtown Nanaimo Saturday

Nov 26, 2016 | 7:55 AM

NANAIMO – The jolly old elf himself officially kicks off the Christmas season in Nanaimo today.

Kathleen Byrne with the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association says he’ll fly into the harbour at 1 p.m. and then make his way to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre to open up Santa’s Workshop.

“We actually have holiday entertainment,” said Byrne. “We have a choir who’s going to come sing some Christmas carols. We also have some holiday crafts as well as gingerbread house decorating on the second floor of the Conference Centre. And of course we offer our annual cookies and hot chocolate.”

After spreading some Christmas joy, Byrne says Santa will get ready for the annual Downtown Nanaimo Santa Parade which gets going at 5 p.m.

“The parade’s going to start on Victoria Crescent,” said Byrne. “It goes along Commercial Street where it continues on where Commercial Street turns into Church Street and ends on Front Street. We suggest getting there a little bit early, grab a warm drink and watch all the amazing floats.”

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Byrne says there are over two dozen floats from community organizations across Vancouver Island.

For road closure and parking information visit www.dnbia.ca.