Thousands turn out for Holiday Parade of Lights in Halifax
The annual Holiday Parade of Lights wound its through Halifax Saturday evening, bringing seasonal cheer to spectators who lined the parade route despite a wind chill that was pushing -10C.
The parade ran a new route this year, starting on Cogswell Street and running along the back of Citadel Hill before meandering down South Park to Spring Garden Road, and finally turning down Barrington Street before ending at George Street. Roads were closed along the route in late afternoon as spectators moved into the downtown to see the dozens of floats from community organizations and businesses.
Lisa MacLeod, her son Will Branch, Corey Monaghan, and his granddaughter Mia Monaghan, of Dartmouth, had staked out their spot on Ahern Avenue — near the beginning of the route — before 5 p.m. It wasn’t about being among the first to see the floats as much “to be able to get out quick,” MacLeod said. “I’m all about efficiency.”
It was Mia’s first parade of any kind, and she was looking forward to it.
“She keeps telling me she’s very excited, Monaghan said as the toddler bounced with anticipation.
“She loves to dance, so she’s going to love the music and the floats and everything,” MacLeod said.
There were plenty of people dressed warmly against the cold as the almost-full moon hovered in the sky. The parade had lights upon lights, either added to trailers and vehicles or draped around some people’s necks. Costumes such as elves, resindeer and clowns were in abundance along Cogswell Street as parade entries moved into position.
Those wearing them likely counted themselves lucky to have an extra layer in the cold. For students of the Melissa Connick School of Dance practicing their moves ahead of the parade there were no costumes, but the activity level was expected to help.
Ashlyn Leskiw from the school has been dancing in the parade for four years and said the constant movement keeps the students warm for the route through the downtown.
“It does keep you warm, you actually get hot dancing, which is crazy because it’s so cold out.”
She said it makes the cold more bearable, “but it’s also fun seeing the kids along the route cheering us on.”
Seeing the new dancers at the school getting into the spirit is also nice to see, she said.
Halifax fire chief Ken Stuebing was the parade marshal for this year’s event, representing Nova Scotia’s firefighters and first responders, who were recognized for their efforts at wildfires and flooding situations across the province this year.
“It was certainly an honour to be asked to represent not only our members but our partners who obviously had an unprecedented year with wildfires, flash floods and hurricanes,” he said.
He said his firefighters sometimes feel uncomfortable with being in the limelight. “They had a job to do, and they did it well, and I’m extremely honoured and proud to be a member of such a great organization.”
Beside taking in the sights, some spectators were in a giving mood. Some brought toys, food items and cash for food and toy drives to support people in need this holiday season.
Eastlink will re-broadcast the parade on Eastlink Community TV on Saturdays at 4 p.m., starting December 2 until Christmas Day.
The parade, which was started in 1995 by the Downtown Halifax Business Commission, was originally scheduled to run Nov. 18 but was canceled because of impending rain and wind.
