For annual parade Santa Claus headed to Acton Saturday

Santa Claus will be ushered into Acton in style Saturday (Nov. 18). The annual Acton Santa Claus Parade, sponsored by the Acton Fire Fighters Association, will begin at 1 p.m. sharp at McKenzie-Smith Bennett Middle School and follow its traditional route through town. From the school the parade will travel along Acton Blvd. to Queen St. to Young St. to Mill St. to Main St. to Knox Ave. ending at Prospect Park. Parade chairman Bill Spielvogel

said the parade will last approximately 90 minutes. This year's theme will be "Christmas in Toyland" and Spielvogel is hoping all 21 floats in the parade will be decorated in keeping with that theme. Spielvogel said they are still accepting float entries. Anyone interested should call him at 519-8532924. Along with the floats, there will be six bands taking part including Acton Citizens' Band, Ajax Drum and Bugle Corps, Dutch Boy Drum and Bugle Corps, Georgetown Pipe

Band, and Branch 197 Typhoon Squadron Band. Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa Claus as Canada Post workers will collect them along the route. The letters should be addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole, HOH OHO, Canada, and include a return address. Several elected officials are expected to participate in the parade. The parade goes rain or shine. "We've been very lucky," said Spielvogel. "We're hoping for a nice sunny day."