According to one of the event’s organizers Patrick Bertrand, the event is a collaboration by the volunteer firefighters of both villages’ departments and an annual tradition that dates back to as early as the late 1980s.

He explained that the event used to take place during the day-time, before organizers slotted it to the evening, 15 years ago.

Scheduled for 5 p.m., participants gathered at the Mansfield et Pontefract town hall parking lot to prepare for the event. Once everyone was registered and ready to go, a large fire truck led the participants down rue Dagenais, in front of Parc Amyotte.

The participants, included around a half-dozen excessively decorated semi-trucks, a number of flashy pickup trucks pulling trailers with people in them and even a lineup of equestrians trotting the streets on horses from RS Ranch. To cap it all off, Santa Claus rolled into town on his red sleigh.

The parade kept rolling from the Amyotte project, down rue Lorrain before going onto Hwy. 148 where hundreds of spectators anxiously awaited their arrival.

As the float made its way onto the White Bridge, attendees cheered in excitement, as the float’s participants proudly waved at the crowds while honking their horns and flashing their lights.

During the parade, a number of good Samaritans, including Mayor Gilles Dionne, handed out candy to children in attendance.

The float continued towards the Metro, before heading to rue Principale, then on rue Baume en route for the Centre de loisirs des Draveurs.

“In the first few years, the circuit changed a number of times,” he said. “We kept what was the safest for the people and we wanted to reach as many people as possible because they’re all spread out onto the streets.”

Inside the arena, a large number of children rushed towards the big man in red for a meet and greet, along with pictures.

To finish off the evening in style, those who participated in the parade were invited to the Mansfield et Pontefract fire department to listen to Christmas jingles, socialize with friends and snack on some cheesy pizza.

As one of the most well-participated events’ in recent memory, Bertrand noted that this year’s parade included over 100 participants in around 30 different floats.

While the event is always quite popular, Bertrand said he noticed that local residents were even more appreciative for this year’s event.

After record breaking floods hit the region, last spring, Bertrand believes that the high level of enthusiasm from locals came as a sense of gratitude for what the town still has to offer, just months after going through a rough period.

“A smile is worth a thousand words,” he said. “We saw people raise lanterns when we passed by them … some did fires on the side of the road, it brought out families from their homes to get fresh air outside. Everyone was happy. There was music, people were dancing.”

Seeing hundreds of people watching on both sides of the streets and hundreds more participating in the floats themselves, Bertrand said he was thrilled with the community’s support and participation in the event from one year to the next.

“It was cold and people were still outside,” he said. “It really surprised me. I feel like the community appreciates it. If we didn’t do it, I don’t think we’d be criticized. But it’s something that’s important for the community when it comes to turning the page on another year in the books.”

Campbell’s Bay

With cars lined up and down Front Street in Campbell’s Bay on Saturday afternoon, hundreds of local residents crowded almost every inch of sidewalk as the annual Christmas parade rolled its way through town.

The parade was organized by the municipality and has been a holiday staple in the town for a number of decades, according to one of the organizers Tim Ferrigan.

“It’s something that’s always been around and we’re certainly going to keep it going,” he said.

“The councillors all get involved and we take on some tasks to get it organized,” he added. “We reach out to local organizations and they all help us out and, as usual in Campbell’s Bay, the people come out and support it.”

Scheduled for 1 p.m., families started crowding the sidewalks of rue Principale around 15 minutes ahead of time, to get the best possible view of the show.

To keep everyone warmed up for the event, a couple of volunteers doled out cups of hot chocolate to the attendees standing in the cold.

Lions Club Treasurer Anne Ireland sold tickets for a 50/50 draw, asking participants to guess the number of lights on the town’s large Christmas tree in front of the Ringrose house.

With half of the funds going to the lucky winner, the other half will be dedicated to Bouffe Pontiac. The winner will be announced on Dec. 20, Ireland said.

After a long period of wait, folks got what they came for. As a long file of over 20 different floats, from festive firetrucks, to well-decorated side-by-sides and flag-waving pedestrians, made its way down Front Street, participants honked their horns and flashed their lights while waving at the large crowd of spectators.

Several members of the Canadian Armed Forces handed out candy canes to the kids in attendance.

Ferrigan explained that, by being one of the few daytime parades in the Pontiac, the event brings out people from all over region from one year to the next.

“It seems to bring people from all their local towns because they get an opportunity to see Santa in the afternoon,” he said.

Judging by the high turnout of spectators and the large number of floats at this year’s event, Ferrigan estimated that it was likely the town’s most popular parade in recent memory.

“To me, it’s the biggest turnout in a long time,” he said. “This is personally one of the biggest ones for sure.”

As a Campbell’s Bay-native and now a member of municipal council, Ferrigan said he takes a lot of pride in putting on event’s like the parade for his fellow residents.

He believes that getting everyone together to celebrate an occasion as a community, whether it’s the holidays or a summer event, is the best way of keeping a small town going strong.

“It’s a small town but we’re strong on community spirit,” he said. “I think we set the tone in the Pontiac, as far as community spirit and volunteering. Campbell’s Bay, we’re a proud town as far as coming together and making things happen.”

After the parade, a large portion of folks packed the Campbell’s Bay RA where several volunteers from the Lions Club served up snacks and hot beverages for the attendees.

Plus, kids got an up close and personal opportunity to let the big man in red know what they had on this year’s wish-list, while receiving a special gift.

Bryson

Last Friday, a crowd of around 50 people gathered in front of the war memorial in Bryson to spread the holiday spirit during for town’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Christmas Parade.

A collaboration of the municipality and the local fire brigade, the event’s main organizer Joanne Ralston explained that local businesses, organizations and residents played a big role in the event as well.

Before lighting the tree, Mayor Alain Gagnon stood on the memorial and gave a word of welcome, thanking everyone for attending and stating that this year’s event was truly about bringing the community together.

According to the local Fire Department’s former Chief and current First Captain Gerald Stewart, the event has been taking place in the town for 10 years and was organized as an effort to replicate ceremonies that other municipalities had going on in their towns.

“Shawville had theirs going,” he said. “I thought, ‘We should try that and see how it’s going to go.’ So far, it’s gone pretty good. ”

After finally lighting up the large pine tree, the crowd rallied together to sing “O Christmas Tree” in unison.

Then, it was time for the parade, which many of the attendees had all been waiting for.

With a dozen or so flashy floats parked at the Forest Inn, the crowd migrated closer to Bryson’s downtown area to watch them make their way down rue Principale for the town’s annual Christmas parade.

When it was all wrapped up, attendees convened at the town’s Lions Hall for hot chocolate, snacks and draws for a few special gifts on behalf of the fire brigade.

Not to mention, kids got the opportunity to meet the one and only Santa Claus.

For Ralston, the event is of great benefit to the town because of how it brings locals together

“More community spirit for the people, especially downtown,” she said. “It’s all ages, from kids and there are a lot of senior citizens participating tonight… everybody’s involved.”

Quyon

The sidewalks along Rue Clarendon in Quyon were filled with Christmas revellers as hundreds braved the cold for the annual Santa Claus Parade.

The procession started at Onslow Elementary and headed Eastward until it wrapped up near the ferry.

Those who braved the frigid temperatures were able to keep warm as they scrambled to get their hands on some of the free candy being tossed out by folks rolling by on the floats.

Several local businesses and community organizations entered floats in the parade.

But the warmest reception was left for the last float – the one carrying the big guy himself.

As Santa’s float made its way through the parade route, youngsters on both sides of the street could be heard screaming his name and beaming with joy when they got a wave back from St. Nick.

Crowds lined Rue Clarendon in Quyon on Saturday as Santa himself paid a visit to the village. Along with St. Nick, several local businesses and community organizations entered floats in the parade.

On Dec. 6, the municipality of Bryson held its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony as well as it’s parade, drawing plenty of people to participate. Pictured, a crowd of attendees stand in front of the town’s Christmas tree after igniting it.

On Dec. 7, the streets of Campbell’s Bay were bursting with holiday cheer, as hundreds of residents took over the sidewalks on Front Street to take in the town’s annual Christmas Parade. Pontiac Senior Comets mascot Slash makes an appearance, to the delight of kids and hockey fans at the parade.

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