Rock ‘n’ roll Christmas parade brings cheer to thousands (21 photos)

Prezzley (age 4) and her gandmother Lynne wait to get a glimpse of Santa Claus.

With over 18 floats and hordes of festive participants, the North Bay annual Christmas parade was a huge success. This year’s theme was “A rock & roll Christmas”.

Thousands of children, parents, grandparents, friends and pets were in high spirits as they waited in anticipation for the jolly fat man in the red suit to show himself.

Lynne Hutchison and her granddaughter Prezzley sat in fold-out chairs with cozy blankets wrapped around them.

“Prezzley is four years old,” Hutchison continued, “This is the first year you can see her taking notice of everything. It’s exciting to watch her,” she said. Prezzley took one hand out from under her blanket and waved a letter to Santa Claus in the air.

The energy of the parade resonated through the crowd as citizens showed support for businesses, organizations and schools.

Chippewa High School students were full of cheer celebrating both Christmas as well as its 50th year; Sacred Heart elementary school celebrated their 100th Anniversary.

Jeff Serran and Bob Alger the Downtown Improvement Area Blues Brothers advertised for the 19th Annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Walk on Friday November 23 while the North Bay Food Bank rock ‘n’ rolled with the Hamburglar and Grimace from McDonalds.

Local drummer Steph Leroux was smiling ear to ear as he performed Christmas songs with his band, Anchor.

Mayor Vic Fedeli came dressed as Elvis Presley. He was no less than a hunka-hunka burning love, as he and his wife Patty rode on top of a float with other North Bay political figures such as Anthony Rota and Monique Smith.

But of course Santa Claus was the show stopper, rocking out on his guitar and bringing tidings of joy to all the boys and girls who looked back at him with bright eyes and awe.

A picture is worth 1,000 words so please feel free to view the gallery of the 2007 Christmas Parade.