Tens of thousands of spectators had their Christmas wishes granted as they were treated to a fantastic array of floats, marching bands, dancing groups, zany characters at the 2010 Downtown Christmas Parade.  The sun came out just in time as the Parade made its way from the Fort William Building through historic Downtown St. John’s with Santa’s hearty “Ho Ho Ho” delighting the thousands of children who came to see him. 

 Employees of Newfoundland Power, a corporate sponsor of the event, were out in full force gathering food for Santa’s annual food drive.  Close to 20,000 pounds of food was collected in aid of the Community Food Sharing Association as well as almost $10, 000.00 in loonies and twoonies. 

 The winners of various categories for the 2010 Downtown Parade were:

        Float Corporate Challenge Winner:

             The Telegram

 Best Float Over 20 Feet:                          
1. Nalcor / NL Hydro Silver Lights Club

2. Tie for Second : NL Federation of Agriculture and Virginia Park   Community Center
3. Easter Seals

Best Float Under 20 Feet :

1. CBC Newfoundland and Labrador
2. Bishop Field School
3. Tie for Third : Honda One / Lehman Trikes  and This Hour Has 22 Minutes

 Best Performing Groups

1. Barbara Ashley School of Dance (4^th consecutive year, wow!)
2. Max Dance
3. Tie for Third: Connie Parsons School of Dance and The Dance Academy

 Best Marching Band

1. Music Collection Drumline (2nd year in a row)
2. #3 Terra Nova Sea Cadets
3. 166 Fort Townshend

Best Cheerleading Group:

1. Holy Spirit High
2. St. Paul’s Junior High
3. PWC

 There will be no time to rest as Santa will be busy answering a sleigh full of letters collected by his special elves from Canada Post.

 Downtown St. John’s would like to thank Newfoundland Power, F. I. Canada Oilfield Services,  NTV, and OZ FM, as well as the thousands of Parade participants, volunteers – especially the Rovers Ground Search and Rescue Crews and community agencies who made the event such a success.