Registration
To register, Please download the Registration Form
Click to Download
Parade Entrant Details
Entry Fee: There is a minimal cost to register your entry - The Commercial entry fee is $50,00 and the Non-Profit entry fee is $35.00. The entry fee will double after Wednesday November 12th, 2025 deadline however there may not be space for your entry after this date.
Click to download the Registration Form
a) Email your Registration form to [email protected] (yes its a number one not the letter l, in front of the email address)
b) Two ways to submit your entry fee
- e-transfer to [email protected]
- Mail or deliver your cheque to: (Note: Cheques must be payable to "Optimist Santa Claus Parade")
Optimist Club of St Thomas
c/o Bob Jackson
606 Elm Street
St Thomas ON Canada
N5R 1K7
Parade staging area:
The staging area opens at 3pm on First Avenue from Redan Street to Talbot Street. All entrants must enter First Avenue from the north at Redan Street. An Optimist team will direct you into the parade staging area.
Note - Do Not arrive before 3pm. Since The St Thomas Roads Dept will not be closing First Avenue until 3pm, or you will be forced to move along.
Santa Claus Parade Route:
The 2025 Optimist Santa Claus Parade will be held in Downtown St Thomas on Saturday November 22, 2025 beginning at 6:00pm sharp. Leaving the intersection of Talbot Street and First Avenue, the parade will head west along Talbot Street to Elgin Street.
Note - At the end of the parade, Do Not stop once you turn south onto Elgin Street - please keep moving and if needed, you can turn at any side street to unload. Bands and Large tractor trailer entries will be permitted to advance west bound through the Elgin Street intersection.
Timelines:
Each entrant must complete the registration form and submit the entry fee as indicated on the Registration Form.
The entry deadline is Wednesday November 12th, 2025
All displays must be fully functional and ready for judging by 5:00pm.
Entry Design Criteria:
a) Theme - The Parade Theme is "to be announced". Yes, we know that you've been to the circus or always wanted to go, so let's have some fun and go to the Circus at Christmas? So, put on your thinking cap - or Santa hat - and bring Christmas at the Circus to life as a float entry in our 2024 Optimist Santa Claus Parade!
b) Lights - Your entry must be well lit to create a festive Christmas display that can be enjoyed by all visitors.
c) Times - Your entry must be powered and ready for judging by 5:00pm
d) No Candy - We unfortunately are not able to allow any kind of items to be passed out during the event (this includes food, drink, promotional materials, etc.). This is a requirement for insurance and is a standard policy for the traditional parade format. We greatly appreciate all offers and ideas to hand out treats but it's just not possible unfortunately.
e) Music - Speakers playing music is also welcome (actually, encouraged!).
f) Attendance - There is no restrictions or limitations on how many people that can be with your entry. Dance, gymnastics and choirs are welcome to participate.
g) Insurance - Your display and equipment must be privately insured to cover any unexpected events. The St Thomas Optimist Club is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss or damage to your equipment, personnel or possessions.
Pre-Parade Meeting:
All entrants must attend a Pre-Parade Meeting on Wednesday November 12th, 2025 at 7:00pm at the St Andrews United Church, 60 West Avenue, St Thomas to get your entry number and to go over the final details and make sure you know where you're going. These details will be key for the parade to run smoothly so please attend. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us through the Contact Us form.
Awards:
The St Thomas Optimists will judging all entries beginning at 5:00pm and awarding trophies for the following categories:
Best Commercial
Best Overall
Best High School
Most Unusual
Best Children's
Most Photogenic
Best Theme
Best Elementary
INSTRUCTIONS:
The safety of the general public and our participants is of the upmost importance. Please follow the rules laid out here and follow any directions from our Optimist members. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the parade.
Parade Staging Area
• First Ave, from Redan to Talbot
• Opens at 3:00 PM. Do not arrive early.
• Enter from the north end at Redan.
• Floats must be complete prior to entering.
• If you plan on assembling your float in a neighboring parking lot please remember that they are private property. We recommend contacting proprietor before using their parking lot.
• Entry number is to be taped to the windshield on the passenger side, top right corner.
• No riders as the float enters the staging area.
• The most eastern lane MUST be kept open for emergency vehicles.
• No other vehicles are to enter the staging area.
• Once in the staging area, drivers should remain with their float.
• There is a portable washroom located on the east side of First Ave.
Float Judging
• Judging will take place at 5:00 PM. Have your float operational if you wish to be judged.
• Categories are; Best Overall, Best Commercial, Best Theme, Best Elementary School, Best High School, Best Children’s under 18, Most Photogenic, Most Unusual.
During The Parade
• For safety reason, No distribution of any kind from your entry.
• Stay in the middle of the road.
• At all times watch out for pedestrians. ESPECIALLY SMALL CHILDREN
• Parade starts at 6:00 PM
• Please maintain the gap that the parade marshal establishes when you enter Talbot. Any type of performance MUST be minimal. You have the chance to do an “extended” performance at White Street where Rogers will be televising from. Large gaps take away from the spectator experience. The End of the Parade
• Parade exits at Elgin St. Large floats will be asked to go through to William.
• Move away from Talbot at a safe speed.
• Quickly dismount from your float where applicable.
• Get your riders to the sidewalk.
• Be sure to have arrangements to pick up your participants at the west end.
• Keep moving Entrant details can also be found on our web page
https://optimistsantaclausparade.weebly.com/
Thank you for participating in this year’s parade.
Be Safe and Have fun!
Entry Fee: There is a minimal cost to register your entry - The Commercial entry fee is $50,00 and the Non-Profit entry fee is $35.00. The entry fee will double after Wednesday November 12th, 2025 deadline however there may not be space for your entry after this date.
Click to download the Registration Form
a) Email your Registration form to [email protected] (yes its a number one not the letter l, in front of the email address)
b) Two ways to submit your entry fee
- e-transfer to [email protected]
- Mail or deliver your cheque to: (Note: Cheques must be payable to "Optimist Santa Claus Parade")
Optimist Club of St Thomas
c/o Bob Jackson
606 Elm Street
St Thomas ON Canada
N5R 1K7
Parade staging area:
The staging area opens at 3pm on First Avenue from Redan Street to Talbot Street. All entrants must enter First Avenue from the north at Redan Street. An Optimist team will direct you into the parade staging area.
Note - Do Not arrive before 3pm. Since The St Thomas Roads Dept will not be closing First Avenue until 3pm, or you will be forced to move along.
Santa Claus Parade Route:
The 2025 Optimist Santa Claus Parade will be held in Downtown St Thomas on Saturday November 22, 2025 beginning at 6:00pm sharp. Leaving the intersection of Talbot Street and First Avenue, the parade will head west along Talbot Street to Elgin Street.
Note - At the end of the parade, Do Not stop once you turn south onto Elgin Street - please keep moving and if needed, you can turn at any side street to unload. Bands and Large tractor trailer entries will be permitted to advance west bound through the Elgin Street intersection.
Timelines:
Each entrant must complete the registration form and submit the entry fee as indicated on the Registration Form.
The entry deadline is Wednesday November 12th, 2025
All displays must be fully functional and ready for judging by 5:00pm.
Entry Design Criteria:
a) Theme - The Parade Theme is "to be announced". Yes, we know that you've been to the circus or always wanted to go, so let's have some fun and go to the Circus at Christmas? So, put on your thinking cap - or Santa hat - and bring Christmas at the Circus to life as a float entry in our 2024 Optimist Santa Claus Parade!
b) Lights - Your entry must be well lit to create a festive Christmas display that can be enjoyed by all visitors.
c) Times - Your entry must be powered and ready for judging by 5:00pm
d) No Candy - We unfortunately are not able to allow any kind of items to be passed out during the event (this includes food, drink, promotional materials, etc.). This is a requirement for insurance and is a standard policy for the traditional parade format. We greatly appreciate all offers and ideas to hand out treats but it's just not possible unfortunately.
e) Music - Speakers playing music is also welcome (actually, encouraged!).
f) Attendance - There is no restrictions or limitations on how many people that can be with your entry. Dance, gymnastics and choirs are welcome to participate.
g) Insurance - Your display and equipment must be privately insured to cover any unexpected events. The St Thomas Optimist Club is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss or damage to your equipment, personnel or possessions.
Pre-Parade Meeting:
All entrants must attend a Pre-Parade Meeting on Wednesday November 12th, 2025 at 7:00pm at the St Andrews United Church, 60 West Avenue, St Thomas to get your entry number and to go over the final details and make sure you know where you're going. These details will be key for the parade to run smoothly so please attend. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us through the Contact Us form.
Awards:
The St Thomas Optimists will judging all entries beginning at 5:00pm and awarding trophies for the following categories:
Best Commercial
Best Overall
Best High School
Most Unusual
Best Children's
Most Photogenic
Best Theme
Best Elementary
INSTRUCTIONS:
The safety of the general public and our participants is of the upmost importance. Please follow the rules laid out here and follow any directions from our Optimist members. Failure to do so may result in your removal from the parade.
Parade Staging Area
• First Ave, from Redan to Talbot
• Opens at 3:00 PM. Do not arrive early.
• Enter from the north end at Redan.
• Floats must be complete prior to entering.
• If you plan on assembling your float in a neighboring parking lot please remember that they are private property. We recommend contacting proprietor before using their parking lot.
• Entry number is to be taped to the windshield on the passenger side, top right corner.
• No riders as the float enters the staging area.
• The most eastern lane MUST be kept open for emergency vehicles.
• No other vehicles are to enter the staging area.
• Once in the staging area, drivers should remain with their float.
• There is a portable washroom located on the east side of First Ave.
Float Judging
• Judging will take place at 5:00 PM. Have your float operational if you wish to be judged.
• Categories are; Best Overall, Best Commercial, Best Theme, Best Elementary School, Best High School, Best Children’s under 18, Most Photogenic, Most Unusual.
During The Parade
• For safety reason, No distribution of any kind from your entry.
• Stay in the middle of the road.
• At all times watch out for pedestrians. ESPECIALLY SMALL CHILDREN
• Parade starts at 6:00 PM
• Please maintain the gap that the parade marshal establishes when you enter Talbot. Any type of performance MUST be minimal. You have the chance to do an “extended” performance at White Street where Rogers will be televising from. Large gaps take away from the spectator experience. The End of the Parade
• Parade exits at Elgin St. Large floats will be asked to go through to William.
• Move away from Talbot at a safe speed.
• Quickly dismount from your float where applicable.
• Get your riders to the sidewalk.
• Be sure to have arrangements to pick up your participants at the west end.
• Keep moving Entrant details can also be found on our web page
https://optimistsantaclausparade.weebly.com/
Thank you for participating in this year’s parade.
Be Safe and Have fun!
