Santa Claus parades, Magic of Lights kickoff Christmas season in Ottawa [Video]

The floats are ready, and Santa Claus will be back in Ottawa Saturday.

“We’re right in the middle of getting our floats finalized for tomorrow’s Help Santa Toy Parade,” says Bob Rainboth, Santa’s Parade of Lights chairman.

It’s the 53rd annual Help Santa Toy Parade, an event which helps families celebrate Christmas.

“Our firefighters will be picking up toys, cash donations,” says Rainboth, noting donations will support the CTV and MOVE 100 Toy Mountain for the Salvation Army. 

And for those not attending, donations can now be made online. And if you don’t carry cash to the parade, new this year, you can tap your credit card or mobile device to instantly donate $10.

A demonstration on the tap to donate boot for the Help Santa Toy Parade. (Dave Charbonneau/CTV News Ottawa)

This is the first full fledged parade since the pandemic stared.

“Feels awesome,” says Rainboth. “It’s a lot …