The 2014 Elmira Santa Claus parade will be bigger and better than ever, long-time organizer Lyndon Ziegel says.
![Maureen Phillips sorts through costumes at the Elmira Kiwanis House in preparation for Saturday’s Santa Claus Parade. [Scott Barber / The Observer]](https://www.observerxtra.com/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/post_news_santa.jpg)
“We have even more floats and banners this year. The event continues to grow, to the point where it’s even larger than the K-W parade. It’s amazing how far it has come over the past 20 years.”
Costume coordinator Maureen Phillips agreed.
“It’s a lot of fun, especially for the kids. It has almost turned into Halloween with the amount of candy the little ones get.”
Phillips has been collecting costumes for the event for years, picking up everything from penguins and bears, to big bird and a one-of-a-kind sasquatch.
And they’re always looking for volunteers to take part in the festivities.
This year, the Girl Guides and the Scouts will march along with some 40 floats and banners. Everyone from minor hockey clubs to local dance studios get involved, Ziegel explained.
“It’s a fun event for the community.”
Ziegel has been involved for nearly two decades, starting out when the local Jaycees were in charge.
Now, it’s the Elmira Kiwanis Club at the helm. The event just keeps getting better, he says.
“We have nine bands participating, which is great,” Ziegel said. “It’s gotten to the point where bands are actually calling us to see if they can take part, which is really neat.”
The parade starts at Riverside Public School at 10 a.m. on Saturday, moving along Arthur Street to the Elmira Legion on First Street.
