Big cheers for Santa’s return

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Winnipeggers lined the streets of the brightly lit downtown Saturday evening for the annual Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

And the weather cooperated, with a clear sky and the mercury at 3 C for the start of the parade at 5 p.m.

It began at Portage Avenue and Main Street and then moved west to Memorial Boulevard, turned south and ended near St. Mary Avenue.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Santa Claus waves to the his admirers as he arrives in downtown Winnipeg ahead of the Christmas season Saturday night. The Jolly Old Elf was participating in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Santa Claus waves to the his admirers as he arrives in downtown Winnipeg ahead of the Christmas season Saturday night. The Jolly Old Elf was participating in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

Dozens of floats, including one dedicated to the Blue Bombers on the eve of the Grey Cup, rolled by cheering families.

But the big guy in the red suit drew the loudest greeting of all.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Mrs. Claus waving to the crowd as she participates in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Mrs. Claus waving to the crowd as she participates in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                The Santa Claus parade has run annually in Winnipeg since the former Eaton’s department store organized the inaugural efent in 1909.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Santa Claus parade has run annually in Winnipeg since the former Eaton’s department store organized the inaugural efent in 1909.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                A number of floats were included in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Saturday.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

A number of floats were included in the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Saturday.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Parade participants walk along the parade route down Portage Avenue Saturday.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Parade participants walk along the parade route down Portage Avenue Saturday.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Katie Desilets holds her four-year-old daughter Maëlle while watching the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Saturday night.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Katie Desilets holds her four-year-old daughter Maëlle while watching the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Saturday night.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                An elf waves to the parade crowd Saturday.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

An elf waves to the parade crowd Saturday.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                The City of Winnipeg featured a number of floats in Saturday’s Santa Claus Parade.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The City of Winnipeg featured a number of floats in Saturday’s Santa Claus Parade.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Santa Claus waves to his fans Saturday night.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Santa Claus waves to his fans Saturday night.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Manitoba Hydro employee Brett holds his daughter Rae while they participate parade festivities.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Manitoba Hydro employee Brett holds his daughter Rae while they participate parade festivities.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Grinch having fun during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Grinch having fun during the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade in Winnipeg.


BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
                                Four-year-old Jameson from Kenora, Ont., is all smiles as he watches the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Saturday.

BROOK JONES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

Four-year-old Jameson from Kenora, Ont., is all smiles as he watches the Manitoba Hydro Santa Claus Parade Saturday.