Members of the Metcalfe Curling Club were included in the 2023 Santa Claus Parade, and they were hoping to show that just about any age is old enough, and young enough to curl.  Tinkess Photo

METCALFE – The snow that arrived last week had all but disappeared, thanks to the steady rain that had fallen most of the morning, but that didn’t keep anyone who needed a little Christmas from lining the shoulders of Victoria Street to welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus for their annual visit to Metcalfe.

The parade started exactly on time (2:00 p.m.) and moved steadily from the staging area on Johannes St. and then headed east along Victoria St. before turning south and wrapping up at the Metcalfe Fairgrounds.

The rain, which seemed like it might stick around didn’t really dampen spirits, but it may have delayed some visitors from making an appearance. However, as soon as the sirens from the emergency vehicles leading the parade were heard, people seemed to show up out of thin air and as the parade rolled east, a large crowd of the young and young at heart had gathered. At that point the rain had completely stopped.

Most parades reflect the community they pass through, and Metcalfe was no exception, although it has a bit of a split personality, being part of the City of Ottawa as well as a rural community with a history based in agriculture. There was the Metcalfe Community Association, the Osgoode Emergency Food Cupboard, representatives of municipal and provincial governments, Martial Arts training centres, Metcalfe and District Hornets Ringette, The Carleton County Junior Farmers, the Ottawa Fire Department, and much more.

Many candy canes were given out, donations were accepted for the emergency food cupboard and smiles were shared between those watching and those marching, but everyone was really waiting for the guest of honour to arrive, and he, and Mrs. Claus didn’t disappoint them. They had left the reindeer behind to rest up for their big night, riding instead on a well-decorated flatbed. They waved to everyone as they passed by, enjoying the moment but knowing that they still had a lot of work waiting for them at the North Pole.

As Santa and Mrs. Claus rode out of sight, the crowd began to disperse. Almost as quickly as they had arrived, those lining the parade route departed, perhaps realizing that they too had a lot of work to do. There are presents to buy, homes to decorate, cookies to bake and so much more that for many is an essential part of the Christmas tradition. With less than two weeks remaining, we had better get to it.