Parade Day Volunteer Information
Volunteers are required to be at the staging area for the parade
(Robinson Street) by 7:00 a.m. SHARP on Parade Day and will finish at
approximately 11:00 a.m. High school students will be eligible to
receive volunteer hours for their participation.
The Oakville Santa Claus Parade relies on volunteers who work in several
areas:
Parade Logistics: Adults with authority are required to assist
police and security officers to ensure that traffic barriers are manned, provide
directions to drop-off areas and generally assist with traffic control.
Parade Marshalling: Adults or high school students (age 16 and
over) will walk with an assigned section of the parade to ensure the parade
keeps moving and prevent any gaps by asking slow groups to "pick up the pace".
You will also make sure that spectators do not crowd the road and float
participants are not throwing candy or other items of distribution.
Costumed Characters: You are an enthusiastic student (age 14 and
over) or adult who will walk fully costumed as a Christmas or cartoon character
(including a head piece) for the entire parade route. You will walk in groups of
two or three characters, and will be energetic and dramatic with your actions.
Costumed Character Escort: Students (age 14 and over) or adults
are needed to guide our costumed friends through the parade, as some costumes
have obstructed site lines. The mascots rely on their escort to help them if the
crowds get a little too excited and can help them keep up with the parade.
Sponsor Banner Carriers: You are an enthusiastic student (age
14 and over) or adult who will walk for the entire parade route holding a
parade sponsor banner. The banners have a metal/wood pole at the top and bottom of
the banner. It can be heavy. You will walk in pairs, one on each end of
the banner and placed/ fed into that parade in a specific order. If you are
part of a group such as Scouts, Girl Guides, Cadets and more than 2 of you
are assisting, it would be wonderful to see you in full uniform.
