Thousands fill streets of downtown St. John's for annual Christmas parade

An estimated 50,000 people crowded the streets of downtown St. John's to hand off letters to Santa and donate food at the annual Christmas parade.

“It's a long-lived tradition," said Downtown St. John’s marketing manager Gaylynne Gulliver. "It’s the official start of the Christmas season."

The parade was delayed by weather last year, and Gulliver said it was a relief the event went ahead this year as planned.

“People put so much effort into their creations, their floats, their dance routines, their costumes, and if it doesn't go ahead the first day it is disappointing."

Her favourite moment of the parade is turning onto Duckworth Street and seeing the crowds lined up to watch.

“When you're around the corner, there's thousands of people and kids waving their letters [to Santa]," she said. "It's the best feeling in the world."

Letters to Santa couldn't be collected at the parade last year due to a contract dispute between postal workers and Canada Post. 

Gulliver also said it was wonderful to see kids once again handing their letters off this year.

“Some kids don't ever want to give their letter to anybody else but the kind postal workers at the Christmas parade because it's like a direct line to Santa."

Gulliver said about 100 groups totalling around 2,500 people participated this year.

The non-profit Community Food Sharing Association collected non-perishable food items from parade onlookers. Gulliver said the group also received a $25,000 donation from Newfoundland Power this year.

Lex Griffiths, the parade's chief marshal and 30-plus year volunteer, couldn't attend the parade this year. According to a GoFundMe started by musician Justin Fancy, Griffiths recently suffered a stroke.

“We're missing one of our own. Our dear friend Lex Griffiths is down, but he will be back,” said Gulliver. “This is for him. In the spirit of Lex, today.”

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.