Ho ho ho: Santa arrives in Aylmer with a twinkle in his eyes

Lily Ryan

To the delight of some 25,000 spectators, Santa arrived in Aylmer Saturday December 2. The parade of floats featured local business people and organizations who decorated their floats with Christmas themes. Starting at the Marina and ending at the Galeries Aylmer shopping center, the parade went along Principale Street, lined with free hot chocolate, fund-raising points, the Christmas Market in Old Aylmer and the Green Santa Photo Sessions at Wooopii Balloons & O! Si Naturel shop for the local favourite gift shopping. Across the street, Bistro l’Autre Oeil was a hot spot with a disco dj following the parade, a late-night party keep folks dancing through the night at the long-time houseparty destination on Aylmer Road near Victor-Beaudry.

The weekend festivities were launched by 5e Baron’s tree-lighting ceremony on Dec 1, complete with choir and a crowd bulging up and down Principale to collectively count-down the lighting led by city councillors Steven Boivin (Aylmer) and Caroline Murray (Deschênes). 

Over the weekend, Christmas Markets and the toy train exhibit at the Galeries Aylmer provided Aylmerites with festive destinations throughout town, with more to come this month (see this paper for ideas).

Photo caption: Judging the floats for creativity and Christmas magic were Gatineau City mayor France Bélisle, renowned Aylmer artist Gilles Pelletier, Disco Fever Experience musical show producer Sylvain Mercier and parade master of ceremonies, Vincent Meloche who works with Rouge FM radio. The winning float is Appel Fred with their “Atelier Les Petits Lutins” scene. 

Photo credit: Christian Rochefort