Toronto Santa Claus Parade
Redesigning Old Floats To Make 'Em New
Published by Toronto Mike on November 23, 2010 @ 08:15 in Toronto Santa Claus Parade
 The Toronto Santa Claus Parade needs to mix things up year after year, to ensure they don't rerun the same parade. Often, they'll simply redesign an existing float.
For example, here's the Yahoo! float that was in the parade the last few years. As you'd expect from Yahoo!, it's a young girl on her laptop.
Now that it's a Duracell float, that same girl is gently fondling batteries and playing with battery-operated toys.
2010 Santa Claus Parade (Snark Version)
Published by Toronto Mike on November 21, 2010 @ 19:33 in The Best of Toronto Mike, Toronto Santa Claus Parade
I just wrote the sweet as all hell recap of the 2010 Santa Claus Parade. That's the one you can show your kids or little nephews and nieces or cousins. This is the snark version.
I'd like to know how much DreamWorks had to pony up for the massive Shrek DVD push that opened the parade. In addition to Shrek himself, every kid at the parade got a little gift pack complete with Shrek ears. There were more Shrek ears than reindeer antlers and Santa hats combined.
Hey, celebrity clowns. I don't mean to look a gift horse in the mouth and all, but where was the chocolate? It was all candy, no chocolate, and I friggin' love those holiday eggs you've handed out in previous years. Couldn't you have taken some of that DreamWorks money and scored some chocolate?
The first real float was called "Rob Ford" and it passed without any fanfare. It was surreal, really.
Poor Blinky... he doesn't even blink anymore. First he stops driving himself, then he stops talking, but now that he's not blinking, is he really Blinky anymore?
Nothing says Christmas like Lady Gaga!
So very, very creepy.
These guys just stink.
Really, Ken? A pink tie?
I don't know what these things are, but I hate them.
These guys might be creepier than the upside down clowns.
I for one am sickened by the continuous and overt sexualization of animals in this parade.
A notorious criminal celebrated in front of our precious children? Disgusting.
Blowing through walls just got a little easier.
Somebody has an ego!
No More Cookies! No More Cookies!
Published by Toronto Mike on November 16, 2009 @ 10:52 in Toronto Santa Claus Parade
As Santa rolled by yesterday at the Santa Claus Parade, he made a request. I captured his plea on video.
He's asking that we not leave him cookies anymore. He'd far prefer an apple or orange. My kids have taken note.
7 Santa Claus Parade Links to the Past: From Blinky to the Upside-Down Clowns
Published by Toronto Mike on November 15, 2009 @ 19:47 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus, Toronto Santa Claus Parade
As I mentioned in my review this afternoon of today's Toronto Santa Claus Parade, I've now gone to six in a row. Prior to that, I missed at least fifteen, the years between my childhood and fatherhood.
The parades I've witnessed these past six years include all new floats and a modern flare, but there are certain constants that link the parades of my youth with these recent parades. Here are seven links to the past. Note: All pictures were taken by yours truly earlier today and can be found in my Flickr photoset.
Blinky the Police Car
Blinky was always there when I was a kid and I'm glad he's still making the rounds. I'm also glad he's looking better after a brief rough patch.
Upside-down Clowns
I always felt the Upside-Down Clowns were kind of creepy, but even today they were blowing the kids' minds.
Elmer the Safety Elephant
Did you know Elmer's been asking kids to safen up since 1947? It's true, you can look it up.
Old School Costumes
Although most outfits have been updated since the 80s, you can always spot the vintage old school costumes. In addition to the above upside-down clowns and the below polar bears, I spotted retro tigers, skunks and bears.
Horse Riding Police Officers
I always feel sorry for the poor souls dressed as clowns and following the horses along the parade route with a shovel, broom and garbage can.
Marching Bands
A staple of a good Santa Claus Parade will always be a massive quantity of marching bands.
The Big Guy a.k.a. Santa Claus
He's the guest of honour, the final float and he's guaranteed to get the biggest cheer. From the first parade to the 105th parade, Santa Claus was there.
2009 Toronto Santa Claus Parade
Published by Toronto Mike on November 15, 2009 @ 18:19 in Family, Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus, Toronto Santa Claus Parade
I took the kids to the 2009 Santa Claus Parade today. It was my sixth parade in a row, so I've got it all down to a fine art. I know when to arrive, where to score great seats for the kids and how to keep them warm and entertained during the two hour wait beforehand.
Last year was windy and chilly and we had to deal with a rain / snow combo near the beginning, but this year it was far warmer and dryer. Truth be known, a blizzard / hurricane combo couldn't keep me away, because both kids absolutely love it and I'm not sure how many years we have left with both fully aboard the Santa train.
I took 148 photos and videos you'll find here. We'll be back next year.
     
Here are my recaps of the last five Toronto Santa Claus Parades I attended.
Santa Claus Parade Website Revamped
Published by Toronto Mike on November 9, 2009 @ 09:35 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus, Toronto Santa Claus Parade
The 105th Annual Santa Claus Parade is next Sunday, so I just made my annual visit to http://www.thesantaclausparade.ca/ to make sure the route and starting time hasn't changed. I haven't missed a Toronto Santa Claus Parade in several years, and I don't plan to miss it next Sunday.
You know what else is an annual tradition of mine? Complaining about the awful Santa Claus Parade website. Back in 2005 I wrote "Good Parade, Horrible Web Site" in which I complained about the brutal graphics and navigation. I begged for a new site, but that didn't happen.
In 2007 I wrote "The SantaClausParade.com Stays Sucky" and urged the organization to update their site. I even volunteered to do it for free. It was embarrassing.
People of the GTA, I have good news. The official Santa Claus Parade website has been completely overhauled. That horrible FAQ page is a thing of the past, replaced by a completely new and improved one. It's no longer embarrassing to send your family and friends to www.thesantaclausparade.ca.
If you want to join me next Sunday, here's the route. It kicks off at 12:30pm, but you'll want to score your kids a good spot a whole lot earlier.
The Flickr Lady at the Parade
Published by Toronto Mike on November 18, 2008 @ 16:42 in Technology, Toronto Santa Claus Parade
 Last year I wrote about the Yahoo! float at the Santa Claus Parade. This year it was back, but there was something extra. A young woman was biking alongside the float taking pictures and sending them to Flickr in real-time.
Here's my pic of the Flickr Lady promoting Yahoo!'s coolest property on Sunday afternoon.
The 2008 Santa Claus Parade
Published by Toronto Mike on November 16, 2008 @ 16:50 in Toronto News ~ Toronto Focus, Toronto Santa Claus Parade
I've just returned from taking the kids to the 2008 Santa Claus Parade. We got there nice and early and secured a perfect spot across from Toronto General Hospital on the divider island. That way you score a seat that's far more comfy than the curb. This is my fifth year in a row taking at least one offspring to the world's longest running children's parade and I've finally figured out all the tricks.
It was windy and chilly and we had to deal with a rain / snow combo near the beginning, but it was worth it. The kids love this thing and I understand that window when they're blown away by stuff like this is pretty short.
I took 52 photos you'll find here. We'll be back next year: rain, sleet or snow.
   
My Most Popular Flickr Picture
Published by Toronto Mike on November 11, 2008 @ 21:01 in Miscellaneous, Toronto Santa Claus Parade
 There are 5,693 pictures in my Flickr account. These 5,693 pictures have been viewed a total of 51,429 times. The picture viewed the most times, at least amongst the shots I personally took, is a shot of Santa Claus closing out the 2004 Santa Claus Parade.
I mention this shot, viewed 1,207 times, because this coming Sunday is the 104th Toronto Santa Claus Parade. I attended this parade as a kid and started attending again when my son was born. I'll be at my fifth in a row Sunday
Here's the money shot.
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