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FALCONER, NY (WNY News Now) – The holiday season kicks off this weekend with the village of Falconer’s Santa Parade. The decades old tradition, is hosted by the Falconer Rotary Club.
Kicking off with a craft bazaar at 9 a.m. on Saturday, the parade begins at 5 p.m., organizers tell us that in years past they’ve had hundreds of kids attend. This year President of the Falconer Rotary Club Nina Gustafson believes there will be an even bigger turnout for one of the earliest parades of the year in our region.
“We know it’s going to be bigger this year,“ explained Nina Gustafson. “We have many more units this year than we had last year, so we’re very excited. We’ve got dance companies, and fire trucks, and churches. Many churches are participating. We also have many businesses that approached us this year.”
The parade will chauffeur the one and only Kris Kringle around the village, handing out early gifts to all the boys and girls in attendance.
“Before the parade starts there will be volunteers going down the parade route, and they have glow sticks for the children,“ stated Chairman Alan Gustafson. “And then once they get to see Santa he will get them a free book after their visit.”
“Falconer Rotary, as well as Rotary International, literacy is a very important part of what we stand for,“ explained Nina Gustafson. “And we have books that are age appropriate for every child. And after they see Santa, and tell Santa and Mrs. Clause what they’d like for Christmas, we have books for the children, so after they leave they’ll get an age appropriate book and they’ll be on their way.”
In the end, the president believes that everyone should get out and enjoy this festive time of year.
“It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but a lot of people, I think they need this right now,“ Nina Gustafson stated. “A lot of people like getting out, we’ve all been cooped up for the past one and a half, two years, and I think people are excited.”
The parade starts at 5 p.m. Saturday evening starting on Dow Street, migrating to South Work Street, running alongside West Main Street, ultimately ending at Santa’s House in Coleson Park.
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