Downtown Halifax

17th Annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights 2012

The 17th Annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights, presented by Eastlink TV and Downtown Halifax Business Commission, was another great success on Saturday, November 17, 2012. The weather was perfect and the Parade brought out 100,000 spectators, who were entertained by more than 50 marching bands, majorettes, costumed walking groups and floats that lit up the evening. Over 100 volunteers helped make the event run smoothly and safely.

Floats were judged on creativity, use of lights and overall effect. The winners are as follows:

1st Place Float – Fairytale Friends Children’s Entertainment featured four Disney princess look-a-likes.
2nd Place Float – Mi’kMaq Native Friendship Centre and APTN had native dancers in regalia and live music, including native drumming.
3rd Place Float – Dalhousie School of Architecture had multiple bicycles pulling floats varying in size forming multiple floating canopies.
Float Honourable Mention – Driftclimbers Snowmobile Club showcased wintertime family fun on the snowmobile with friends during the holiday season.

The Walking Group Award was judged on creativity, costumes and energy:

Outstanding Walking Group – Hal-Con featured walkers in many genres of costumes including: Star Wars, Star Trek, steampunk, etc.
Honourable Mention Walking Group – HRM Urban Mushing had 30 dogs, costumed for the holidays, pulling bikes, sleds and other equipment.

Many community groups also benefited from the generous audience. C100 and Empire Theatres collected 3,500 new, unwrapped toys for children in need. FEED Nova Scotia and Q104 collected $14,483 in cash donations and 2,781 kg in non-perishable food items along the Parade route. Canada Post collected 2,500 letters to Santa from children on his “good” list. The Chronicle Herald raised close to $14,000 with their red, Rudolph noses for Road to Rio – Nova Scotia Chapter.

For the sixth year in a row, Eastlink TV provided live coverage of the Parade and will rebroadcast the event on December 1, 8, 15, and 22, at 2:00 pm. The show is also offered OnDemand.

The 17th Annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights was presented by Eastlink TV and Downtown Halifax Business Commission, with support from: Halifax Regional Municipality, Spring Garden Area Business Association, Park Lane, Scotia Square, Barrington Place, C100, New Century Signs and F1rst Fence. 

Next year’s 18th Annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2013.

DATE & TIME:

Close to 100,000 spectators will line the streets of Downtown Halifax for the most anticipated holiday event of the year, the 17th Annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights, presented by Eastlink TV and Downtown Halifax Business Commission, on Saturday, November 17, beginning at 6:00 pm.

THE ROUTE:

The Parade begins on Upper Water Street at Cornwallis Street, continues over the Barrington Street overpass onto Barrington Street and turns right onto Spring Garden Road. It then turns left on South Park and then right onto University Avenue, concluding at the corner of University Avenue and Robie Street. Parents are reminded to keep children off the street and on the sidewalk at all times.

PARKING AND TRAFFIC:

There will be no parking along the Parade route. The public is encouraged to use Metro Transit and expect traffic and parking delays. As in previous years, there will be additional ferry service and the Halifax Harbour Bridges will redirect lanes to accommodate the event traffic.

HONOURARY PARADE MARSHAL:

This year, Mark de Jonge, 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in kayaking, will be the official Parade Marshal. Mark de Jonge has been kayaking since 1997 and had immediate success in the sport. In 1999, at his first national championships, he won his first national titles, which includes 28 national gold medals to date. At the World Championships last summer in Hungary, he finished 6th in the K-1 200m event and qualified a spot for Canada at this year's Olympic Games. He followed up this success with a bronze medal at the Olympic Test Event in London.

DONATIONS TO COMMUNITY GROUPS:

Community groups will benefit from the Parade’s generous audience. C100 and Empire Theatres will collect new, unwrapped toys along the route for children in need. Q104 and FEED Nova Scotia will collect cash donations and non-perishable food items. Canada Post will collect letters to Santa from children on his “good” list. The Chronicle Herald will sell red Rudolph noses before the Parade to raise funds for Road to Rio – Nova Scotia Chapter.

EASTLINK TV BROADCAST:

Rain or shine, over 50 entries will be joining Santa Claus in the Parade this year, including many returning favourites and first-time participants. Entries include: festive floats, holiday carollers, majorettes, and marching bands. Eastlink TV will provide live coverage of the Parade as well as rebroadcast the event at 2:00 pm every Saturday in December before Christmas. The show will also be offered “OnDemand” for anyone who missed the festivities in person.

OUR SPONSORS:

The 17th Annual Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights is presented by Eastlink TV and Downtown Halifax Business Commission, with generous support from: Halifax Regional Municipality, C100, Spring Garden Area Business Association, Park Lane, Scotia Square, Barrington Place, New Century Signs, and F1rst Fence.