Kamloops Santa Claus Parade will kick off at dusk this year

Oh hey, Santa. (via Eric Thompson)

The annual Santa Claus Parade will start at a different time this year: dusk.

In the past, the event has been held in the morning. 

But on Sunday, Nov. 17, the hour-long parade will start at 4 p.m. That will be followed by the second annual Bright Lights for Our Child and Youth at St. Andrews on the Square, where Kamloops Fire Rescue will help light up the tree at 6:15 p.m. There will be games, hot beverages, photo opportunities and more.  

This year's title sponsor is once again Thompson Rivers University (TRU).

According to an email newsletter from the downtown business improvement association (BIA), "this year, Downtown Kamloops and TRU want to elevate the magic of Christmas in Kamloops by moving the event to the evening."

Carl DeSantis, the BIA's executive director, says the decision to move the festivities from morning to evening is a result of feedback from the business community and stakeholders.

"Based on that, we accept that there's an opportunity to change it," he tells KamloopsMatters. "The parade is typically very well attended in years past. I think the curiosity we're creating will encourage a whole new demographic to come downtown on top of our regular parade-goers. I think we'll have a really exciting event."

To avoid any clash with the Grey Cup on Nov. 24, organizers are holding the parade on Nov. 17.

Parade floats will start at Second Avenue and St. Paul Street, go through Second Avenue to Victoria Street and along Victoria Street, ending at Sixth Avenue.