Local Santa Claus Parades begin this weekend

Stopping at every house in the world on Christmas is impressive enough, but before Santa Clause can do that, he’ll perform a feat almost as outstanding – riding in dozens of local parades over the next few weeks.

The first parades take place this weekend, with Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge leading the way.

Presented by the Lions Club of Kitchener, the Kitchener-Waterloo Santa Claus Parade begins at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The parade runs along King Street from Bridgeport Road in Waterloo to Cedar Street in Kitchener, and will features dozens of floats, bands and vehicles.

Saturday night, Santa heads to Cambridge for that city’s parade, which starts at 6 p.m. and travels down Hespeler Road between Dunbar Road and Langs Drive.

Guelph’s Santa Claus Parade kicks off Sunday at 1:30 p.m., following a route through the city’s downtown along Norfolk, Quebec and Wyndham streets.

All three parades will see volunteers along their routes collecting food for local food banks.

Here’s info on other local 2013 Santa Claus Parades:

• Arthur: Nov. 30, starting at 7 p.m.
• Ayr: Nov. 30, starting at 1 p.m.
• Baden: Dec. 7, starting at 1:30 p.m.
• Brantford: Nov. 30, starting at 6 p.m.
• Cambridge (Hespeler): Dec. 7
• Clifford: Nov. 30, starting at 7 p.m.
• Drayton: Dec. 6, starting at 7 p.m.
• Elmira: Dec. 1, starting at 10 a.m.
• Elora: Nov. 30, starting at 6 p.m.
• Fergus: Dec. 7, starting at 1:30 p.m.
• Harriston: Nov. 30, starting at 3:30 p.m.
• Ingersoll: Nov. 16, starting at 11 a.m.
• Listowel: Nov. 30, starting at 7 p.m.
• Mitchell: Dec. 6, starting at 7 p.m.
• New Hamburg: Dec. 2, starting at 6 p.m.
• Owen Sound: Nov. 16, starting at 10 a.m.
• Palmerston: Dec. 7, starting at 7 p.m.
• Puslinch: Nov. 24, starting at 2 p.m.
• Shakespeare: Dec. 14, starting at 1 p.m.
• St. Clements: Dec. 15, starting at 1 p.m.
• St. Marys: Nov. 15, starting at 7 p.m.
• Stratford: Nov. 24, starting at 4:45 p.m.
• Tavistock: Nov. 24, starting at 1 p.m.
• Tillsonburg: Nov. 17, starting at 2 p.m.
• Wellesley: Dec. 14, starting at 6:45 p.m.
• Woodstock: Nov. 16, starting at 6 p.m.