Aldergrove鈥檚 annual Christmas parade is going ahead as usual this Saturday, Dec. 16, after members of the community stepped up to volunteer.
Local resident Alyssa Nielsen, who has been involved in Christmas in Aldergrove for more than 10 years, is leading the team of volunteers in the pre-parade party and parade itself.
鈥淲e are expecting in the thousands [of attendees] this year,鈥� she said.
The deadline for float applications in the parade is Thursday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m., but there were more than 50 entries by press time on Tuesday.
鈥淎ldergrove is a growing community with lots of young families, but also an older generation, who are all looking for meaningful community events to participate in,鈥� Nielsen commented.
Following tradition, a pre-parade party will kick off the evening at 4:30 p.m. which will have hot dogs, juice, popcorn, and hot chocolate provided by the Aldergrove Rotary Club and Aldergrove Elks.
Live entertainment will be performed by Alex Whittaker, Karma Sounds, and Spider-Man, among Christmas mascots and Santa.
Letters will be provided for kids to fill out and mail to Santa through the North Pole mailbox.
There will also be a free holiday-theme photo booth.
鈥淲e all need joy in our lives, and this event will be filled with joy,鈥� Nielsen said.
The parade itself starts at 6 p.m. and runs along Fraser Highway from 270th to 273rd Streets.
Everything at the event is free, but Nielsen asks those who are able to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the Aldergrove Food Bank.
鈥淭his is a great time of need for many families, and we hope to stock up the food bank with non-perishable items and/or gift cards from FreshCo and Save-On-Foods,鈥� she said.
Nielsen recommends viewing the floats from Parade Central at the intersection of Fraser Highway and 272nd Street, where all the activities will be.
Former Aldergrove Fair president Robin McIntosh will return as the parade host.
Roads will be closed along the parade route, as well as from 268th to 270th Streets at 5:30 to 7 p.m.
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