Santa Claus Parade - Toronto Hotels .com

A Toronto institution for over 100 years, the Santa Claus parade features a series of animated floats, two dozen marching bands, 150 clowns -- give or take -- and a few thousand hyperactive kids in costumes waiting for the jolly fat man in the red suit to appear. The clowns accompany the children as they walk along the route, but what makes these clowns unusual is that they're actually civic-minded, fun-loving executives who pay up to $1,000 for the privilege of wearing the clown suit. This method of funding the parade has been in effect since 1983.

The parade runs from the junction of Bloor and Christie Streets via Bloor Street and University Avenue to Queen Street. From there it passes along Yonge Street, ending at the junction of Front and Church Streets. It's a great festive occasion, and most of Toronto turns out to watch the floats go by.

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