Photos of the 2012 Santa Claus Parade

I don't get why this parade is so popular. Don't ppl have better things to do with their time?!

Also, thanks for snarling up traffic. Way to go!

I didn't know Scrooge changed his name to Moneesha.

I didn't know you could have a parade where everyone kept their clothes on. Odd.

Wow. Do you have a lot of cats?

For a city that prides itself on its diversity, I'm shocked by how intolerant ppl here are!

The Xmas parade is for Christians! Why should I be interested in Jesus' b-day when I don't even give a mouse's ass about him?!

And, for all you parents who bring their children to this event: shame on you! If you want to be brainwashed by all the corporate ads (via floats, sponsorships, etc), then you mine as well just sit them in front of the TV!

These are great and thanks for doing it for me/us.

I am always surprised about the traffic - the Santa Clause parade is not a well kept secret. Why do drivers bother to come anywhere near the route? If you need to cross town, go north to Davenport or above. Duh.

im sure you were jumpin up at the most violent parade (caribana) MONESSHA haha what a retarded name

Santa Claus actually has little to do with either Christianity or Jesus, if you go back far enough. And yes, the parade is mostly about commerce.

Moneesha,....you miss the point about Christmas. Yes it is a Christian holiday but at its heart it is about kindness and family and getting together with your loved ones. It's about giving a little something to those who won't have a family to celebrate with. I have many friends of different faiths who still celebrate Christmas by have family over for a dinner. You don't need to believe in the religious part to enjoy what Christmas is all about. Heck I've been to friends houses to celebrate Eid or Diwali. I don't believe in their faiths but I see the bigger picture of what each major celebration is all about.

Um, you have your definition of "tradition" wrong.

Tradition implies that activity is still going on. Last I checked, those dark activities in Candian history are just that, HISTORY.

But this parade? Yes, it's a tradition. Yes, it's part of our culture. No, it is not "intolerant" just because you think people are wasting their time, and because it makes your travel plans inconvenient for one afternoon.

Oh Moneesha. Can't the kids have a little fun?

Ahahahahahaha Moneesha, you're a hoot.

That said, the parade did feel rather commercial this year, with several floats blasting out horrible pop music (yes I'm aware it started as an ad campaign for Eaton's).

Glad to see Christmas is about leaving your trash all over the streets after watching the parade. Walking west on Richmond yesterday seeing University Ave made me sick. Starbucks cups, Tim's cups, bags, fastfood wrappers/fry boxes, straws, candy wrappers, poop, cigarette boxes and an assortment of other waste.

I can't believe we call ourselves civil but behave like that. Apparently seeing Santa and all those sparkly floats causes amenesia that leads people to conveniently forget to put their garbage where it belongs. Merry Christmas, Earth; we love polluting you!

I do like how it gets those wallets with pigtails from Mississauga out and about, spending their parents' money.

Would be nice if all those people flowing in from the burbs paid a road toll, though. Would help for clean up cost.

Moneesha I whatever the hell that pathetic name is.... Just another example of a typical immigrant tryin to push their beliefs on us. No one wants you people here, don't you see that. You people have already started destroying Canada with your third world problems. Don't like Santa, move back to the sandy cat litter box you came from.

One only resorts to childish name-calling when they are incapable of expressing an intelligent argument. The irony is that your comments are a perfect demonstration of the kind of intolerance Moneesha was referring to.

Moneesha +1
Fed Up 0

The singer in the video passes away earlier this year in Russia. Catchy tune and a clear perspective of Moneesha.

How can Santa go all around the world in one night without going through customs?

I should worry what people like moneesha may or may not find offensive? What about people who are 4th and 5th generation Canadians, who grew up with traditions that are being destroyed because of her type. We can't have Xmas trees in city hall because non Christians find it offensive. We can't say merry Christmas in retails stores any more because god forbid you might offend someone. Well what about us, what if your hijab offends me, what if protesting about your far off war during our remembers nice day ceremony offends me? If you come from some war torn hate filled country and have decided to make Canada your place to live. Respect the traditions, respect the people that came before you. Stop trying to make it like "back home". We don't want your back home problems.

Good idea and the same should be so for the PRIDE crap that clogs our city every summer. hell, while we're at it may as well toll road the Jazzfest and Taste of Danforth too.

Any business that won't say Merry Christmas at Christmas time isn't worth supporting. Many have seen the light and have reverted away from the generic 'happy holidays' and have brought back the words Merry Christmas.

I implied nothing. If you want to take what I said as being directed solely at you, thats your call. Moneesha said she is non christian. Now do you have anything intelligent to add or are you just going to try and put me down. Because in the end it only make you seem uneducated and weak.

Um, I think you should re-read your rants above. You made all sorts of baseless accusations against others, literally telling people to go back where they came from, and now you're concerned about "intelligent" debate? Nice try.

Baseless accusations? Coming here and telling me my beliefs and traditions are offensive or not worthy of public display is wrong .
You hit the nail on the head. If you don't like it here go back to where you came from. Nothing unintelligent about that. Unless you are learning so far to the left your head is stuck in the dirt, it's not a hard concept to get.

I'm just going to ignore all the griping about the parade and whether or not we should follow traditions or what not. The weather was nice for a parade although it was a bit breezy at times. Did other people find the fencing down the University Ave island south of Dundas kind of bothersome? Did this VIP section always exist? Did it need to extend for such a long distance? I thought it was pretty empty - could've let the kids stand a lil bit closer to the parade.

Moneesha, you are an idiot.
Fed up, you are also an idot.
Todd, My 2 cent, and My 3 cents, you have also joined their club. Please take your club and go away. Far away.

AMEN.

Civil? You live in the biggest city in Canada and get upset when a few wrappers are left around? Move to the country or STFU, cities are just giant dumping grounds

What's with all the hate? This is supposed to be a fun and wonderful event. You know, family stuff. Yes, its been commercialized. Sad, but what hasn't. Since Eaton's pulled out of it, how else could it be paid for? And why are we talking about gay or Carabana parades? Who cares. Lets all celebrate together our diversity together. Gay, Christian, Caribbean, ya know they can all be the same person right? Grow up, and learn to celebrate life. Each day is precious.
P.S. If you don't like grid lock, don't drive downtown, and start building more subways!

@ clownvolunteer. Thanks for your contribution to a wonderful day! We should all volunteer at one time or another. It is what builds communities. Time is much greater a commodity that money/donations.

CA is Canada; CND is Canadian. Idiot!

YES! The fencing off was ridiculous! I felt so bad for all the kids stuck 6 meters away from the parade, separated by nearly empty barricades. No, these fences were not always there. We asked one of the security guards why they were there, he told us it's a new thing they're trying. It's reserved space for parade sponsors and their families. I wish they had planned it out better because the barricades went on forever, had space for tons of people, yet, each section had only 3-9 people in it.
Other than that, I thought the parade was fun!

At the end of the day, All religions, races, people in canada are happy they get Christmas Day off of work/school. Take it for what it is. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, whatever.

@ Fed Up, I know, kicked myself after I hit "add". But when someone, PL, corrects someone else, "Moneesha - "Canadian" is CA not CND", and is totally wrong, it's a bit funny.
As for the "Stop with the self richeous bravado" I only thought to point out the hate being spread on this site. I'm not one who believes in being "politically correct". I just believe in my rights and freedoms, AND those of others. How many kids have to commit suicide before we decide to set a good example. Kids look up to us for guidance, and we act like jerks. No wonder they are so messed up.
Look, I'm not one who believes in being "politically correct". I just believe in my rights and freedoms, and those of others. Lets act like adults, so kids can know how to behave.

Gotcha, point taken. Much respect for coming on and clarifying / defending your point. My apologies for jumping all over your first post.

@ Moneesha....please excuse me for not reading the tirade of this entire thread....I am Canadian born, raised and fiercely proud of my country and her acceptance of immigrants from all countries around the world, who want a better life than what they left behind...not having read the entire thread, I don't know if you have mentioned whether you were born here ( in Canada, CA, CND or whatever ) or immigrated here...If you were born here and raised, surely you must know about and understand that there are certain traditions that existed before you did and that they will be followed, regardless of your clear contempt....If you immigrated to Canada and wish(ed) to become a Canadian citizen, well...there are certain traditions that are followed and will not be changed simply because you. do. not. approve....Don't like the parade ?....don't watch it.....Can't accept that it happens ? I would be pleased to provide transportation to Pearson Int'l Airport and contribute CDN$20 toward your one-way flight out of the country of my birth.....I suspect that there may be others willing to contribute towards your departure....Where else will you find a country as excellent as Canada ?

Thank you for saving me the trouble of typing that.

I love these people who sit around like shut ins using tv to form their opinions. They assume its what the rest of the world does as well.

@SIMON TARSES Sorry man, no time for tv, I make my opinions based on my lifes experiences.

@SIMON TARSES Also, I never mentioned one of those names you listed. Get a life

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!! :-)


This blog needs some Christmas spirit!