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 "The
date was Saturday, December 2, 1905; the time was 9;59 a.m.;
the place, Toronto’s old Union Station. Outside, it
was a chilly 12 degrees Fahrenheit with moderate winds.
The crowd, mostly children who had been waiting patiently,
broke into a cheer when the gentleman in the bright red
tunic and trousers trimmed with white fur, black boots and
leggings, long white beard and a pack over his back emerged
from the doorway.
It was, unmistakably, Santa Claus. He was making his
first official visit to Toronto, sponsored by Canada’s
fastest growing department store – The T. Eaton Co.
Limited."
Santa Claus Parade Press
Kit (1961) |
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| The 100th
running of the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto
took place in November of 2004. When it was originally launched
in 1905 it was a ‘one-man show’ – Santa himself.
Year by year more floats were introduced and personnel added
until it became one of the largest productions of its kind in
North America.
Predating the first Macy's parade in New York City by almost
20 years the Santa Claus Parade would go on to survive the great
depression, two World Wars and all manner of inclement weather.
The Gentlemen in the red suit has never failed to keep his pre-Christmas
appointment with the parade for children.
From 1905 to 1981 the parade was staged by Eaton's Department
Store and was known as the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade. This exhibit
remembers those first 77 parades. |
Click to see a larger image (713K)
Christmas Christmas Catalogue, 1904
Reference Code: F 229-231-0-4
Archives of Ontario |
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| There are numerous
film clips in this exhibit. To view them you will need either
Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player. If you do not have
one of these players and wish to download a free copy, click
on the appropriate graphic to the right. |
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 As
you look through the parade exhibit you'll see coloured boxes
like this. They contain memories of the Santa Claus parade
sent in to us by other visitors to the web site. If you have
a parade memory that you would like to share please send it
in via the box below. We will add as many as possible to the
memories page.
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Click here to see larger image
(379K)
Santa Claus Float, 1978
Colour print
Reference Code: F 229-308-0-895
Archives of Ontario, I0020352 |
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Please let us know what you thought of this exhibit.
We also welcome any suggestions for ways it can be improved so
please take a few moments to send us your comments by filling
in the form below.
Personal information
provided to the Archives through this request will be used
only to respond to requests. This information is collected
under the authority of the Archives and Recordkeeping Act, 2006, S.O. 2006, chapter 34, Schedule A.
Questions about the collection of this information should
be directed to: Team Leader, Strategic Business Solutions,
Archives of Ontario, 77 Grenville St. Toronto, ON, M5S 1B3,
416-327-1527. |
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