(Montreal) After two years of absence due to the pandemic, the Santa Claus parade re-enchants downtown Montreal on Saturday. Between family and friends, there are thousands of Quebecers gathered along Sainte-Catherine Street in the spirit of the Holidays.
Crowds stretch from Chomedey Street to Jeanne-Mance Street at Place des Festivals in downtown Montreal for the long-awaited Santa Claus parade.
In this 70e edition of the parade, the City of Montreal expects no less than 400,000 spectators. The event also mobilizes several police officers along the trajectory, by car, bicycle and climb.
It was Mother Christmas who led the way shortly after 11 a.m. in her bodywork alongside her little elves, to the rhythm of the song Long live the windperformed by an on-site orchestra.
The return of the parade is notably marked by the presence of the drag queen Barbada from Barbados who embodies the Star Fairy. His announced participation had also sown controversy, raising in particular misunderstanding and offensive comments.
“I can understand that it’s very different, but […] you are going to see that you are going to be very, very, very surprised and surprised at the magnitude that it has this year and what it also adds to have a drag queen, precisely the flamboyant side, “said Barbada earlier. this week at The Canadian Press.
“I think it will also be an opportunity for people to find the city center, launched the drag queen. For the holidays, it will be a new opportunity to revisit the beauty and diversity offered by downtown Montreal. »
About fifteen 100% electric allegorical floats parade on Sainte-Catherine Street towards the Place des Festivals where the Grand Christmas Market of the metropolis is held.
More than 1,000 artists and volunteers pitch in Saturday to bring the holiday magic to downtown. performing artists corteo from Cirque du Soleil and the December troupe from Québecissime also took part in the parade. Young children will be delighted to see the characters Atchoum and Henri Godron in the streets of Montreal.
With The Canadian Press