Sault Airport to host drive-thru holiday parade

The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) is hosting a holiday drive-thru parade on Airport Road on Dec. 19.

The event, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m., is a salute to area first responders.

"Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma have been a shining example in the country of how to protect against COVID-19 and our first responders are well-deserving of the recognition for all they have done," said SSMADC president Terry Bos in a news release issued today.

Santa Claus as well as local businesses and organizations will also have holiday displays set up for spectators to enjoy.

Full text of the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation release follows:

The Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) will be hosting a frozen parade on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. This parade will offer the community a chance to salute our first responders for all that they do, especially this year dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also offer an opportunity to get a glimpse of Jolly Old Saint Nick (Santa) who we have asked to come to the Sault for the event.

Due to the restrictions with COVID-19, this will be a drive-thru parade. People will be asked to drive through the parade at a slow speed, never stopping, and never getting out of your vehicles. Our first responders, Santa, and other organizations with displays or floats will stay in their areas and not approach any vehicles.  

We will ask all the vehicles that want to experience the parade, when reaching the end of the line for the vehicles lined up, to enter the airport parade route on Airport Road to turn your hazard lights and leave on for the entire experience. Please do not arrive before 5 p.m. in order to allow Santa to arrive at the airport and get set up. Last vehicle entry will be 7:45 p.m.

We will keep the community up to date via a link on our airport website. For those unable to attend there will be a live feed of the event. The website will be updated with directions and rules to follow for the event. For those that would also like to make a financial contribution to one of the first responder agencies, there will be links to their organizations via the event website. We would love to see the entire community out to salute our first responders.

Terry Bos, president and CEO of the SSMADC had this to say: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sault Ste. Marie Airport has had many financial hardships this year which resulted in the cancellation of our annual Charity Golf Tournament and suspension of our Corporate Social Responsibility program. When we were approached with this idea, we felt it was a great opportunity to give back to the community for all the support over the years. Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma have been a shining example in the country of how to protect against COVID-19 and our first responders are well-deserving of the recognition for all they have done. And who doesn’t love a chance to invite Santa to visit. We know it is very short notice but we hope to see the entire community and surrounding area out.”

If you are a first responder agency that we unfortunately missed in our initial round of invitations, please contact our business administration manager Emma Paat at [email protected] to get involved. The deadline to register to participate is 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11.

If your are a local business or organization that would like to participate and show your support, we are allotting space along Dr. Roberta Bondar Parkway (entrance road to the airport) for floats or displays. Again, please contact Emma to get involved, space will be on a first-come basis. There is no theme other than a salute to our first responders and Christmas. For those without a float, you can contact Avery Construction. Float supply is limited.