Around 50,000 individuals gathered in downtown St. John’s for the annual Christmas parade, where they handed letters to Santa and contributed food donations. Gaylynne Gulliver, the marketing manager of Downtown St. John’s, described the event as a longstanding tradition that marks the official commencement of the Christmas season. Last year, inclement weather caused a delay in the parade, making this year’s successful execution a relief.
Gulliver expressed admiration for the effort put into the decorations, floats, dance performances, and costumes by participants. She highlighted the exhilarating moment when the parade turns onto Duckworth Street, revealing a sea of spectators and children eagerly waving their letters to Santa. Gulliver emphasized the joy of witnessing kids handing their letters directly to postal workers, considering it a direct connection to Santa.
The parade featured approximately 100 groups comprising about 2,500 participants, with the Community Food Sharing Association collecting non-perishable food items from the onlookers. This year, Newfoundland Power also contributed a $25,000 donation to the association. The event paid tribute to Lex Griffiths, the chief marshal of the parade for over 30 years, who could not attend due to health reasons.
Gulliver conveyed a message of solidarity and hope for Griffiths’ recovery, stating, “We’re missing one of our own. Our dear friend Lex Griffiths is down, but he will be back. This is for him. In the spirit of Lex, today.”