Cuzzy Likes Halifax

My girlfriend and I attended the Parade of Lights in downtown Halifax last night and it was pretty good. A large crowd was gathered and the floats were entertaining and well done. I did not know what to expect coming from Toronto where the parade is a big deal but I have to say I liked the smaller local feel. The only really corporate feeling to it was the Harry Potter float but that is what the kids love so I do not mind.

Here is what was reported on it today. (from the herald)


Bluenoses with red noses
Thousands cheer Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights
By JOHN GILLIS Staff Reporter

An estimated 75,000 red noses — either of the foam Rudolph variety or the natural, just plain cold variety — lined Halifax streets Saturday evening for the Chronicle Herald Holiday Parade of Lights.
The crowd included 11 members of the Brooks family from Millbrook, who left home at 2:30 p.m. to stake out some prime real estate next to St. Paul’s Anglican Church in the Grand Parade overlooking Barrington Street.
After the clock at city hall chimed 6 p.m. but well before any floats arrived, Qualin, Shillo, Jacob, Skye, Victor, Justice, Willow and Chelsey Brooks, ranging in age from four to 15, were energetically trying to get the thick crowds on both sides of the street to join them in some festive songs as three older family members looked on.
"You’ve got to give somebody out there some Christmas spirit," Willow explained.
The Brooks’ polished call-and-response style rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and vigorous Jingle Bells were certainly rousing.
Victor had a simple explanation for their enthusiasm.
"We’re just a big happy family," he said. "We love Christmas."
The Parade of Lights has clearly become a holiday tradition for people in Halifax Regional Municipality. But there were plenty of first-timers along the route.
Carlos and Karen Gonzalez and Yongsen Chen may have had the best spot on the parade route — nursing pints in Ginger’s Tavern with a clear view of the street below.
"It’s too cold," said Ms. Gonzalez, who recently moved to the city from Ontario.
Mr. Chen came to Halifax from China and was witnessing his very first Santa Claus parade.
"Cheers," the trio toasted, and clinked glasses as the parade came into view.
Joanne and Colin MacDougall and daughters Ashlin, 6, Marcella, 4, and Laurie, 2, just moved to Dartmouth from Truro this year.
The girls were dressed for the season in matching white-trimmed red capes embroidered with snowflakes.
"My mom made them for them for Christmas last year," Ms. MacDougall said. "They wore them specially tonight."
Marcella was clearly entranced with the passing floats, her hand stuck in a perpetual wave even as she turned around to retrieve a candy cane from her mom.
The weekend’s other big star, Harry Potter, was on a float with an imposing black Hogwarts Castle.
Maggie and Hannah MacDonald, 9 and 8, were both dazzled.
"I wish there was a Hermione, though," Hannah said.
One remarkable float entered by Dalhousie University students featured a dancing snowman surrounded by swirling flurries of marshmallows inside a geodesic dome.
The Jolly Old Elf followed soon after. His appearance left a pair of youngsters who had earlier been calling out Santa’s name totally speechless.
Another savvy boy, dad in tow, raced from Barrington Street to Spring Garden Road calling, "We get to see it again," as he crossed in front of the public library.
The sale of red noses raised an estimated $10,000 for the Goodfellows Club, said Chronicle Herald promotions manager Kevin Sanford, who walked the route beside Santa’s sleigh.

http://www.halifaxherald.com