Guelph/Eramosa council approves in-kind support for farmers’ parade of lights

ROCKWOOD – Guelph/Eramosa council has once again approved a plan for the township to provide in-kind support for the Rockwood Farmers’ Santa Claus Parade of Lights.

“It’s one of our premier events,” Mayor Chris White said of the parade during the Oct. 21 council meeting.

He gave credit to the farmers who make the parade happen, saying the township’s role is to support them.

“Appreciate all the work that the farmers do on this,” White said. “It certainly puts us on the map.”

The parade, which takes place this year on Dec. 12, is an opportunity to see antique and modern tractors and other farm equipment decked out with lights and holiday decorations.

Like any other Santa Claus parade, the guest of honour makes a much-anticipated appearance, but instead of riding through town on a sleigh as the final float, Santa and Mrs. Claus ride through on a combine.

The township’s public works department helps with obtaining approvals for the event, providing insurance, co-ordinating OPP coverage for traffic control and arranges road closures, including installing signage and traffic barricades.

The parade closes Highway 7 at the Milton/Eramosa Townline and at the intersection of Wellington Road 44 and 4th Line Eramosa, as well as Wellington Road 27 at  Wellington Road 124.

According to a public works department report, township staff put in a collective 110 hours on average to assist with the parade.

The staff costs are covered under the department’s operational budget.

The event has a “very minor impact” on the fleet operations budget, related to fuel usage and maintenance, the report stated. There is also a cost of less than $100 for road closure signs.

Council unanimously approved the motion to provide the in-kind support.