For News Tips & Advertising call...

By Carrie Debrone
Kitchener Citizen
November 7, 2013
​​​
Lydia Herrle will be the Grand Parade Marshall at this year’s K-W Santa Claus Parade on Saturday, November 16.
​
Herrle, 14, was hit by a truck while getting off her school bus in front of her home in St. Agatha in May 2012. She was in a coma for several months suffering a brain injury and broken bones.
​
Her recovery has exceeded expectations as she has had to relearn even the most basic skills like walking, eating, and talking.
​
“We’re so proud to have her as the parade marshall this year. We wanted to honour her for the great progress she’s made since her accident and we hope people will come out and show their support,” said Vic Bovingdon, Lion’s Club President and the Parade Chair for the last six years.
​
Final preparations are being made for the 55th annual Lions Club of Kitchener K-W Santa Claus Parade, which begins at King and Erb Streets in Waterloo at 10am. It will travel about two miles along King St. ending at King and Cedar Streets in Kitchener.
​
“Community support has been great for this parade,” Bovington said This is the ninth year the Lions Club has organized the parade.
​
“We have several new float entries this year, and there are 11 bands including the Port Dover Pipe Band that will be leading the parade,” Bovingdon said.
​
“We were also very fortunate to have the Tian Guo Band this year, ” he said.
​
Following parade tradition, lots of candy will be handed out along the parade route.
​
Children are encouraged to bring along their letters to Santa. A team of Canada Post letter carriers will be collecting them to send by “Special Delivery” to the North Pole.
​
This year’s parade involves the help of over 100 volunteers, many of them local young people who have volunteered to dress up as clowns or animals and will be walking along the parade route.
​
Rogers Television, Cable 20 will televise the parade live from Kitchener City Hall at 11am on Saturday, November 16. The channel will offer a repeat broadcast of the parade at various times to its cable customers during the weeks leading up to Christmas.
​
Parade onlookers are also encouraged to bring an “unwrapped” toy for the Waterloo Knights of Columbus and the Waterloo Fire Department’s annual New Toys for Needy Kids toy drive.
​
Volunteers from the Food Bank of Waterloo Region will also be collecting food and cash donations along the parade route.
​
“We’re hoping for good weather and we’re expecting lots of people along the parade route,” Bovingdon said.