Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus right down Santa Claus la–…. actually it’s Georgia and Howe.

That’s right! The 13th Annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade is happening this Sunday, December 4, 2016.

Due to the parade route, that also means some detours for buses in the area.

DETOURS

Buses affected: 2, 5, 6, 17, 20, 135, 240, 246, 250, 257, C23

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 5 Robson Regular route to Richards at Pender, then via Richards, Pacific, Burrard, Robson, regular route.
• 5 Downtown Regular route to Robson at Thurlow, then via Thurlow, Pacific, Seymour, Pender, regular route.
• 6 Davie Regular route to Richards at Pender, then via Richards, Pacific, Burrard, Davie, regular route.
• 6 Downtown Regular route to Davie at Thurlow, then via Thurlow, Pacific, Seymour, Cordova, regular route.

From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• 2 Burrard Stn Regular route to Cornwall & Burrard then via Burrard, 4 Ave, Hemlock, 5 Ave, Granville, Seymour, Pender, Burrard, Dunsmuir then regular route.
• 2 MacDonald Regular route to Pender & Burrard then continue Pender, Richards, Pacific, Pacific, Granville Bridge, West Cloverleaf, 5 Ave, Fir, 4 Ave,  Burrard, Cornwall then regular route.
• 17 Oak Regular route to Robson & Seymour, then via Seymour, Pender, then regular route.
• 20 Victoria Regular route to Robson & Seymoyr, then via Seymour, Hastings, then regular route.

From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 135 Burrard Stn Regular route to Howe & Dunsmuir, then via Dunsmuir, Burrard, to temporary terminus on Burrard at Dunsmuir.
• 135 SFU From temporary terminus on Burrard & Dunsmuir, regular route.
• 240 Vancouver Regular route to Georgia & Pender, then via Pender, Richards, Georgia, regular route.
• 240 15^th Street Regular route to Georgia & Seymour, then via Seymour, Pender, Georgia, regular route.
• 246 Vancouver Regular route to Georgia & Pender, then via Pender, Richards, Georgia, regular route.
• 246 Highland Regular route to Georgia & Seymour, then via Seymour, Pender, Georgia, regular route.

From 10: 30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• 250 Vancouver Regular route to Georgia & Pender, then via Pender, Richards, Georgia, Homer.
• 257 Vancouver Regular route to Georgia & Pender, then via Pender, Richards, Georgia regular route.
• 250 Horseshoe Bay Regular route to Georgia & Seymour, then via Seymour, Pender, Georgia, regular route.
• 257 Horseshoe Bay Express Regular route Georgia & Seymour, then Seymour, Pender, Georgia, regular route.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• C23 Main Regular route to Thurlow at Davie, then via Thurlow, Pacific, Seymour, Davie, regular route
• C23 Davie Regular route to Davie at Richards, then via Richards, Pacific, Burrard, Davie, regular route.

Santa has sent us some tips for enjoying the parade:

• Dress warmly and for the weather
• Umbrellas block views so wearable rain gear is best
• Please be safe and don’t enter private property
• Respect the parade officials and volunteers
• Allow families with small children to sit in front
• Avoid parking and traffic by taking transit to the parade! The route is right near the Burrard, Granville and City Centre SkyTrain and Canada Line Stations.

Remember, this isn’t just a parade, it is one of the region’s biggest donation days for the Food Bank!

Since 2004, the parade has collected nearly 80,000 pounds of food for those in need in Metro Vancouver. So, remember to come out with your non-perishable food item or $1 loonie donation.

DID YOU KNOW??
For each dollar donated, the Food Bank can purchase $3 worth of food!

MOST NEEDED ITEMS:

• Protein – canned fish/meat/beans
• Natural peanut butter
• Whole-wheat pasta and rice
• Pasta sauce
• Wholesome meals in a can – hearty soups/stews/chili
• Canned fruit and vegetables
• Healthy/low sugar cereal
• Juices – natural fruit and vegetable
• Infant formula and diapers

You can download your own copy of the parade route here.

There are many other parades and festive events around the region this weekend and next. For a full list of detours and reroutes, visit translink.ca/alerts.

Author: Adrienne Coling