By John Griffin

This year, the Knowlton Santa Claus parade is set for Dec. 6, beginning on Victoria at 1 pm, and winding down with treats and hot chocolate at Knowlton Academy about an hour later.

A Longstanding Tradition

As is the tradition lasting almost 60 years, our local Lion’s Club is organizing the happy event. And as he has the last 9 years, Lions stalwart Ken Battley is responsible for seeing all goes smoothly.

“It’s a pretty rustic event, and that’s part of its charm,” he says. “We never know how large it’s going to be until the floats show up at Windmill Plastics at noon. Last year we had 30, a record. It all depends on the weather.”

It’s safe to assume our vintage firetruck Old Betsy will put in an appearance, along with other firetrucks of more recent vintage. Santa has his own special float, created and hauled by local builders Proconstruct. The rest remains to be seen.

There will be candy for the kids, handed out, not thrown, to prevent mayhem. With luck and fair skies there will be horses and farm animals, an assortment of well-behaved dogs, local businesses, revelers and a surprise or two. In addition, count on the new mayor to add gravitas and citizens young and old to wave the seasonal flag, as they do every year.

Battley has fond memories of the parade as a kid, riding Betsy perched on the fire hoses. There is the regular presence of a 1954 farm tractor, vintage cars and local Tommy McGovern rustling the floats into line.

If you want to take part, show up at noon. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.