CORNWALL, Ontario – It appears even Santa can’t escape the never-ending road work that has descended on Cornwall recently.
Organizers of the annual Santa Claus Parade announced Friday they are shortening the length of the parade. Instead of things finishing up at the Royal Canadian Legion, the parade will end at nearby Bedford Street.
The parade will continue down the length of Second Street, and begins at 5 p.m. at St. Lawrence High School.
Cornwall information officer Kevin Lajoie said parade organizers wanted to avoid traffic problems near the corner of Second Street West and Cumberland Street where the legion is located.
The news was later confirmed by one of the parade organizers, Terry Muir, in a social media post.
“Everything will remain the same except the parade will end at Bedford and Second and that will allow us to turn the trucks on Cumberland Street to avoid Brookdale Avenue and the single lanes,” he said. “Part of Cumberland will be blocked south of Second Street to allow trucks to turn.”
A traffic nightmare has been created thanks to the decommissioning of the Seaway International Bridge. The busy intersection at the corner of Brookdale Avenue and Second Street West has been partially closed.
But, the traffic problems aside, the parade promises to be a great way to lead into the holiday season.
The Maple Leaf Brass Band, from Ottawa, returns this year. As well, five dance groups will strut their stuff, and Black Dog tire will have a Christmas Tree made completely of tires.
In all 44 registrants will take part in the parade.
