Editor's Note: This story has been updated based on new information we've received.
Organizers of the Georgetown Santa Claus Parade say they are in dire need of volunteers for the popular event.
A full complement of 140 volunteers are needed for various roles across the parade. According to the Georgetown Lions Club, which organizes the annual festivities, they are short about 30 to 40 people to work on Nov. 19, the day of the parade. The parade will carry on rain or shine in any case.
The majority of the volunteers look after the barricades that block traffic during the event, while the rest carry banners or flags along the parade route, explained Doug Penrice of the Georgetown Lions Club.
“They (students) can use that for getting their volunteer hours for graduation,” he noted.
It's not known why there's a shortage of workers, but the organizers have been making appeals to their usual pool of volunteers.
“I don't know if they're all just waiting to see what's going to transpire or they just have not got around to calling us,” Penrice said.
Along with the relatively short hours worked, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Penrice also said that volunteers get “the best view in the house” because they're right at the front of all the crowds along the route.
Volunteers young and old are welcome. Older volunteers are favoured for traffic management.
“The kids who carry the banners, a lot of them enjoy that because they're in the parade. So they're marching the length of the whole parade route,” noted Penrice.
The five-km route will be along the usual path of Guelph, Mill and Charles streets. It will end at the Georgetown Fairgrounds.
Those who are interested in volunteering their time can contact Linda Dilks at [email protected].
More information about the parade itself can be found on the Georgetown Lions Club’s website. .
