Santa loves Souris

This December, Souris will be buzzing. It takes great pride in its history and family-oriented community, all making for a great festive whirlwind at the Souris Christmas Parade Festival — its biggest event of the year.  

The festival starts with a weeklong shopping party, where customers collect “stamps” from making purchases at a variety of stores. After all stamps have been attained, names are entered into a draw where the winner receives a massive gift basket filled with goodies from all of the stores — valued between $500 and $1,000.

Other events include a dance for Grades 5 to 8, ceilidhs, a craft night, public skates and a game of bakery bingo where the prizes are baked goods. And throughout the week, there are chances to get photos with Santa for you and even your pet!

Be sure not to miss the tree-lighting and movie night, where everyone gathers around the tree in the middle of town, elementary school students sing carols, and cider and cookies are served.

Many highlights come from Santa — or Santas, actually — in the Santa Pageant, where a handful of men and women compete to win the Mr. and Mrs. Claus roles in the parade. Previously, they’ve had to stuff a turkey with oven mitts on, compete in musical chairs where Mrs. Claus has to sit on Mr. Claus’s lap, and bake cakes blindfolded.

Souris’s special events co-ordinator, Chrissy Conohan, says the event “is totally hilarious and a must-see.”  
She adds her favourite part of the week is the family atmosphere. “What I love about the festival is the chance to spend time with my kids as a family,” she says.

Conohan says she always looks forward to kids’ faces when they first see Santa. She says kids also usually enjoy the craft night where, among face painting and storytelling, they can make gifts fit for mom and dad.
If you’d like to book some time in Souris this year, contact the Town of Souris at 902-687-2157 or town@sourispei.com. •

26 30^th Annual Souris Christmas Parade, Nov 26-Dec 4, downtown Souris, sourispei.com