As dusk falls tonight (Dec. 7), the ninth annual Surrey’s Santa Parade of Lights will roll through the historic Cloverdale downtown, setting the stage for the Christmas season.
It’s a dazzling parade with floats and vehicles decorated with strings of lights, offering plenty of community appeal, from high school bands and service clubs, to square dancers and race horse drivers.
The parade features floats, boats, horses, marching units, antique cars and trucks, buses and the arrival of Santa Claus. It also features lighted big rigs and trucks from the Island Equipment Owners Association and local Fraser Valley trucks.
The parade route starts at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds parking lot at 60 Avenue and will make its way to historic 176 Street, heading east on 60 Avenue to 177B Street, then south on 177B Street, right at 58 Avenue, and then west to 176 Street. From there, the parade turns left and heads south to Highway 10.
Get there early to stake out a spot with a clear view of the action – the parade draws thousands.
There are pre-parade festivities, including live music at Hawthorne Square, located in the centre of the 5700-block of 176 Street, across from the Clova Cinema. Please bring a non-perishable food item or unwrapped toy to the Santa Parade for donation to the Surrey Christmas Bureau and Surrey Food Bank.
Last year the Surrey Christmas Bureau helped nearly 1,700 families.
Grab a snack or warm up with a hot beverage. Service clubs like the Cloverdale Lions Club and Rotary Club of Cloverdale will be selling popcorn, hot chili, hot chocolate, cookies and tree ornaments for charity.
A traditional tree lighting ceremony in the square will follow the parade. Children will be able to meet Santa Claus.
It all happens Sunday, Dec. 7, with the parade starting at 5 p.m. in the Cloverdale Town Centre, rain or shine.
It’s presented by the Cloverdale BIA and Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce along with sponsors.
– For info call 604-574-9802 or 604-576-3155. Visit cloverdale.bc.ca or cloverdalebia.com.
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