In need of a massive cash infusion in the upcoming week, organizers with the annual Santa Claus parade are dangerously close to cancelling the annual event.
Decision day to proceed or pull the plug falls on Oct. 25. Between now and then, $150,000 worth of sponsorship money is needed.
“Not only are there a lot of logistical considerations that need to be planned, but participants and current sponsors need to start preparing,” said Pace Group Communications spokeperson Trevor Pancoust, who spoke to the Courier on behalf of parade organizers.
The parade costs $400,000 and the largest piece of that pie is approximately $62,000 in city-related costs: policing, sanitation, parking and permits. Pancoust said the city is providing about one third of those costs in kind.
The rest of the needed money is earmarked for route infrastructure (fencing and porta-potties), planning costs, security, first aid needs, an art installation at the Vancouver Art Gallery and marketing materials.
While the parade has a stable of repeat sponsors, one of the major backers has pulled out of this year’s parade. Pancoust didn’t specify which sponsor had opted out. Should the funding push materialize, the parade will take place Dec. 3.
The parade attracts 300,000 to the downtown core. It also includes two hours of family entertainment at a Christmas Square before the parade and free photos with Santa at the Robson Square Ice Rink following the parade.
It’s not only families who would miss Santa’s pre-Christmas visit. The parade has helped raise $157,000 and bring in 77,000 pounds of food for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society over the past 13 years.
“The holiday season is one of the most important times of year for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, and the Vancouver Santa Claus Parade has played a critical role in helping our organization raise funds and support the more than 26,500 members that use our services each week,” said Aart Schuurman Hess, CEO of the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, in a news release.
Current parade sponsors include Purdy’s Chocolates, the Vancouver Courier, Toys R Us, Island Farms, Vancouver International Airport, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Port of Vancouver, Starbucks and the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association.
Interested sponsors are invited to call 604-646-3591 or email [email protected] for more information.
— with files from Martha Perkins
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@JohnKurucz
