"We would wait and wait, with feet feeling like two blocks of ice, until finally we would hear the clip-clop of the huge police horses - they always lead the parade - and next, the bagpipes. Then we could see them - the enormous horses walking so proudly. Even they were excited and some could hardly be kept from prancing. Right behind them came the pipers with their kilts swinging as the strode down the road, their big bear skin hats making them seem larger than life. To this day, whenever I hear the bagpipes I get this vision of big strong pipers striding along, determined and proud, decked out in all their regalia. Who would dare get in their way?”

SG

“As a child growing up in Toronto in the late 40's and early 50's Eatons and the parade was a wonderfully, magical part of Christmas. The store windows display, heading out to the parade on the street car in the cold of winter and the throngs of people waiting with great anticipation for the spectacle that was heading down University Ave. Enjoying a visit to Santa and sitting on his knee and whispering the secret wish for Christmas. In years to follow it was a family tradition to take the nieces and nephews and eventually my own children to see the parade and after leaving Toronto in the 80's, viewing it on TV. For a few years I worked at Sick Childrens Hospital, and can still see the faces of the ill children as they looked out the hospital windows onto University Ave. and joined the thousands of children below in the thrill of the parade.”

B C

“As a small child in the late 40's and early 50's I remember waiting with excitement for the upcoming Santa Claus parade. My Aunt and her girlfriend made this an annual event, taking my brother and me to the parade. I still don't know who enjoyed the day more. We always stood at the end of the parade route so that we could cheer as Santa made his way from the float and made into the Store window via a fire truck ladder. I think it was the old Eaton's Annex store that he disappeared into. Santa's arrival was a sure sign that Christmas would soon be here. Of course Santa was the parade highlight, but who could forget the upside-down clowns, the marching bands and the wonderful floats.”

H. B.

“As a child I was taken to see Santa by my parents, it was such a wonderful experience. The parade was so exciting and of course, outside of Santa, Punkinhead was my favorite. The clowns and the bands were a delight. Then going in to see Santa, standing in line for what seemed forever, didn't matter because Santa was at the end of it. I still remember the train ride and candy cane and of course the coloring book. Eatons was a magical place to be.

Now many many years later I take my grandchildren to see the parade. I enjoy every minute of it and I smile from within remembering the parades of my childhood. Thats what Christmas was! I would love for my grandchildren to be able to feel Christmas the way my memories do. Its right in your heart and soul.”

D. R.

“We Lived on Symington Ave. in the west end of Toronto and I remember going to the Santa Claus parade with my Aunt and older brother and sisters. We used to walk along Dupont St. and pass all the floats lined up and then watch the parade. I remember coming home and later watching the parade on our black and white TV. One year my sister Joanne was in the parade she was a candy cane.”

B. V.

“We lived in Aurora and each year that we were able, the whole family travelled to Toronto to watch the Santa Claus parade and then to see Santa himself. I remember a big room in the Eatons store and what seemed like hundreds of kids with their parents, waiting in line for their chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they hoped he'd bring for Christmas. The line was so big it seemed we'd never get our turn and then there we were. It was truly a magical time. Every child left there knowing beyond a doubt that they had just spent a few precious minutes with Santa Claus, the one and only. Later we all had an ice cream waffle before going home.”

Once, I received a Punkinhead doll for Christmas and I cherished him for many years. Other than going to Toronto to see Santa in person, the radio show and writing him a letter were the only connections we had to him.”

C. C.