Oakville Santa Claus Parade Needs Volunteers by October 26

Anyone who has wanted to walk the Santa Claus Parade route instead of watching it from the curb has until the end of the month to put their hand up. The Town of Oakville is taking volunteer applications for this year's parade, which rolls on Saturday, November 14 under the theme North Pole Sweets and Treats.

The volunteer application closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, October 26, and volunteers need to be at least 14 years old.

Three roles are open. Costume characters, 14 and up, dress as holiday characters and work the crowd along the route. Costume character escorts, 16 and up, walk alongside them to keep the entry safe and organised. Marshals, also 16 and up, watch a stretch of the route, help keep the parade moving at the right pace, and answer questions from spectators and participants.

Parade morning runs from 7:30 a.m. to roughly 11 a.m., and every volunteer has to attend a pre-parade orientation session first. Volunteers also help with setup and takedown and monitor the route alongside police and security staff. The parade goes ahead rain or shine, so dress for whatever mid-November decides to do.

Groups that would rather be in the parade than running it have a little longer. Band, float and walking group applications close on Sunday, November 1, entry fees are $75 for community groups, charities and schools and $200 for businesses, and walking groups are capped at 30 people. Floats have to work the parade theme into the design and cannot be mostly advertising.