Santa Claus visits Russell and Embrun
Over the weekend Mr. and Mrs. Claus took time out of their busy schedules to participate in the community parades in Embrun on Saturday and then Russell on Sunday. On the final float of the parade,, Santa and Mrs. Claus were met with the joyful cheers of the local children. The Christmas season has begun and communities will gather often to enjoy each others company at holiday events. See the Villager section for more. Sawyer Helmer photo
Kalynn Sawyer Helmer
Villager Staff
RUSSELL – The communities of Embrun and Russell held their annual Christmas parade over the weekend with the Embrun Christmas Parade on Sat., Nov. 24 in the evening and the Russell Christmas Parade on Sun., Nov. 25 during the afternoon.
Embrun’s parade saw 55 floats ride by from 42 local businesses, community groups and organizations. Each passing float brought with it many smiles, candy canes and holiday greetings, hoping to get the community in the Christmas spirit.
The Russell parade had 42 floats participate over the weekend travelling from St. Thomas Aquinas High School to the Russell Fairgrounds. During the parade floats were judged by the Russell Lions Club with one float voted by the public as fan favourite.
Chairperson Matthew Spence wrote in an email after the event that, “Most Festive float was Foodland, Best Organization or Group was Village Veterinary, Most Creative was second Russell Scouting, and the public voted Fan Favourite was 5 Cyclone Air Cadets.”
Many of the floats were present at both parades showing their support for the township as a whole and each of the individual communities. Russell council members made the rounds at each of the events, connecting with their constituents.
