Deer Lake -
The theme for this year's Santa Claus parade is "Christmas in Our Town." The student council at Elwood high school said they took this to embody the heritage and history of their Newfoundland roots as well as their town's.
"We thought it was suiting that we did mummers," said Devon Janes, a Grade 11 student at Elwood.
The student council float consists of 17 students so far all dressed as mummers, said student body co-president Melanie Bingle and the doors are open for any other students who would like the participate.
"You just have to come dressed as a mummer," she said.
While Bingle said she participated in the school float last year, Janes said this is his first helping with the school float. He said every other year he participated in the parade with the cadets.
"I'm going to like it a lot more than marching," he said.
Bingle said she thinks it's important for the high school to be a part of the town's festivities.
"I think it's good to show the community that we're involved and we have school spirit," she said.
The mummer float isn't the only one emerging from the high school this year. Denise Beck is coordinator with Communities in Schools, an organization hosted by the YMCA, for Elwood High School. She and the two co-ordinators from Xavier Junior High School and Elwood Elementary are entering a float as well for this year's Santa Claus parade.
Beck said their float will consist of banners, school crests, a Christmas tree and parcels, while people walk alongside the float handing out candy canes and bookmarks.
Beck said she has been a spectator of the Deer Lake parade for 23 years, this year being her first to participate.
"Christmas is not the same unless you see the parade. I'm glad to be on the inside now. It'll be different. Nine chances out of 10 I'll be out passing out candy canes. I like to be in action," she said.
"From what I've seen from past parades, it's a huge turnout especially if the weather is good," said Beck.
Greg Adams, public relations officer with Deer Lake Fire Rescue and first-time organizer of the Christmas Parade, said he thinks this year's parade theme has an important message.
"What it means to me is really getting people involved in the community and getting people together ... It gets everybody in the community together as a unison to kickoff the Christmas season," said Adams.
Adams said there are a few floats he knows will be a part of the parade: the RCMP, Elwood High School, Beavers and Sparks to name a few.
The parade commences at 1 p.m., leaving Elwood and continuing down Wight's Road to the top of Chapel Hill. The parade will head down Chapel Hill to Nicholsville Road, move up to Main Street and conclude down Pennel's Lane, returning to Elwood parking lot.
There, the float winners will be announced. Some contest categories include best overall float, best commercial float, best religious themed float and best clown float.
Anyone entering floats must meet at Elwood elementary before 12 p.m. on Saturday. After the parade, treats and refreshments will be given out at the fire hall.
