ST. PAUL – The annual Santa Claus parade in St. Paul is getting bigger and its organizers have sought the Town of St. Paul’s support to use main street for this year’s parade.
The parade acts as a fundraiser for the food bank and is organized by sisters Breana and Carina Malcolmson.
“Each passing year, our parade has gotten bigger. And last year, with the help of community organizations, families, and the fire department we raised over $8,000 in cash and food donations and our parade grew to [over] 13 . . . floats,” reads Breana’s letter, presented to Town of St. Paul council on Nov. 12.
As the parade grows, organizers are finding it difficult to parade through town and suggested the parade travel along main street on Dec. 7.
According to Breana, a main street route will allow people to better enjoy the floats, which would be moving slower. Regardless of the council’s decision, the parade will go forward, according to organizers.
During the meeting, council and administration discussed logistical concerns such as road closures and safety measures to accommodate the event, which would have to involve proper barricades and staffing.
CAO Steven Jeffery said the difference between a Santa Claus parade and the rodeo parade is that, “it’s going to be dark.”
Council asked if there were alternate routes, such as the parade starting at Reunion Station and coming up on 53rd Street. That way, organizers can still collect donations from residents.
According to Jeffery, Reunion Station is already booked on the date of the parade.
A final decision on the parade route was not made. Council directed administration to work with the parade organizers to determine if there are other alternative routes the parade can use.