High River's most well-known elf, Ted Dawson who organizes the Santa Claus parade, is happy to report,
"The theme this year for the parade is 'Celebrating Santa's Helpers'. We decided it was time for a shout out to the elves."
The legendary Santa Claus parade is almost ready to roll too says Dawson.
They have the fire pits, hot chocolate, hot dogs and bags and bags of candy ready however they could use a few more volunteers to help out.
"If you'd like to volunteer there's also a site, High River Christmas dot ca, where you can sign up to help with marshalling the parade, or manning a barricade, or looking after a fire pit, anything like that."
The big night is coming up on Friday, December 6, which also includes 'Light Up George Lane Park' and the Christmas Market hosted by Inclusion Foothills in the Highwood Centre.
"It's always fun, we've been working on it since August. It's always exciting and if you'd like to put an entry in there's no charge, we just need to know who's coming so that we can get our extra insurance ready and everything else. The only stipulation is that you put lights on whatever you're doing. That's one advantage of an evening parade; a little bit of light goes a long way."
Dawson also wants to let you know many returning non-profit community groups and sponsors are back to help make it family-friendly enjoyable night.
"Servus Credit Union and Rotary Club of High River and High River Parades and Lights have all contributed so there's going to be almost 2,000 light wands they'll be passing out to the kids and then Kathy Lambourn and Robin MacDonald have been working like crazy getting candy donations. The folks over at Seasons (High River Retirement Community) are very kind to put all the candy into bags so that we can pass them out. "
Entries in the parade are not allowed to throw out candy from their floats due to safety and insurance concerns, so bags of candy are handed out before the parade.
Just watch for the dressed-up volunteers walking the parade route with wagons full of candy.
There are 18 firepits around the parade route, and just as many hot chocolate stands.
The Lion's Club once again has donated the hot dogs by the Stampede Stage.
The Highwood High School grad class will be handing out the hot dogs with High Country Chev on site again handing out hot chocolate just south of the stage on Macleod Trail.
Everything gets started at 5:00 p.m. on the Stampede stage across from George Lane Park.
The Windmill Theatre Players/Singers will be singing Christmas carols to get the evening underway on the stage.
Hot dogs should be ready by 5:30 with High River Mayor Craig Snodgrass and family throwing the switch to light up George Lane Park at 6 with the parade starting at 6:30 p.m.
99.7 Sun Country's Charlie Brown will also be hosting the Stampede stage this year.
And for good boys and girls wanting to meet Santa, he's agreed to have photos taken at the Highwood Museum right after the parade.
As far as parking goes, there's lots around the downtown core with just a brief walk and for handicapped parking, A Plus 1 Convenience (formerly 7-11) store has donated space on their lot and there will be parking spots for people with disabilities by the Museum of the Highwood.
The Christmas Market hosted by Inclusion Foothills will be open from 2 p.m. right until 9 p.m. and many downtown businesses will be open late.