[URBAN NOTE] "Kris Kringle and winter arrive hand-in-hand at Toronto Santa Claus parade"

[rfmcdonald]

The Toronto Star's Jesse Winter describes this year's iteration of the Toronto Santa Claus parade, held this Sunday past. You know, it's been a decade or so since I've gone, excluding times I've gotten caught in the parade's transit disruptions. Perhaps next time?

Winter, it seems, has arrived, but at least it brought Kris Kringle with it.

Thousands of Torontonians braved the cold and occasional mini-blizzards Sunday, lining the city’s streets to catch a glimpse of Santa Claus.

The 112th annual Toronto Santa Claus Parade saw 25 floats and 21 marching bands make their way from Christie Pits Park to the St. Lawrence Market.

George Akopolous and his daughter Georgia staked a spot along Bloor in a tent with sleeping bags to combat the cold.

Their puppy Spike joined them, sporting his own faux-fur-trimmed parka.

“We’ve been here for a couple hours, nice and warm,” Akopolous said as he hefted his camera to snap shots of the marching bands.