After a pair of successful outings, the Santa Bus is set to cruise through Red Deer neighbourhoods again this weekend.
The third annual Santa Bus Tour, which features Santa Claus and his elves riding a city bus decorated with Christmas lights, will be riding through the city on Friday and Saturday.
Sunnybrook, Anders, Morrisroe, Eastview, Clearview Meadows, Michener Hill, Waskasoo/Woodlea, the downtown, and North Gaetz Avenue are on the schedule for Friday. The Santa Bus will pass through Vanier Woods, Lancaster, Deer Park, Rosedale, Timberstone, Clearview Ridge and Garden Heights neighbourhoods on Saturday.
For route maps, visit www.reddeer.ca/rdlights. All routes start at 5:30 p.m. Real-time bus movements can be tracked on the City of Red Deer’s MyBus app.
This will be the final opportunity for Red Deerians to see the Santa Bus this year. Other neighbourhoods in the city got a visit from the Santa Bus last weekend.
“We saw many families coming out to wave to Santa and his elves (last weekend),” said Bobby-Jo Stannard, community development superintendent for the city.
“We also saw some of our citizens create neighbourhood events with families together on driveways, waiting for the bus to come with propane fires and snacks. We saw quite a few children holding up holiday signs, greeting Santa. It was really fun and a great reception for Santa and his elves.”
The Santa Bus Tour was originally launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a little different than it was in 2020 when there was zero competition for other events happening in the city,” said Stannard.
“We might not being seeing the same number of families coming out, but those families still coming out now know what to expect, so you see more of those organized, informal parties happening.”
The Santa Bus Tour is an inclusive activity for Red Deerians, Stannard added.
“It provides an opportunity for all four quadrants of the city to view Santa and his elves going along in neighbourhoods on the bus,” said Stannard.
“Previously, we’ve had some events centred in one location and if there were mobility issues, transportation issues or issues with crowds, we wouldn’t see those residents coming out top participate. We are trying as much as we can to bring Christmas cheer to everyone in the city.”
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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