Picton streets and stores were jammed with young and old on Saturday, attracted to town by the Santa Claus parade. Cars poured into town for hours, from all directions, and stores were unable to accommodate all the shoppers. The weather was ideal for the occasion.

The parade itself was not long, but the fact that Santa was coming was all that the children were interested in. Picton fire truck, with screaming siren, heralded the approach of the parade. It was loaded with children. On a wagon drawn by F. J. Webster’s team of white horses, driven by Morley Allen, were members of Picton band, and more children.

Then came the handsome team of Percherons owned by the Sawyer-Stoll Lumber Co. of Kaladar, in charge of George Atkinson. On the wagon was Santa himself, the cynosure of all eyes. Then came H. J. Mc-Farland’s fine team of blacks, the wagon loaded with children, who were highly amused by the clown, monkey and Donald Duck. These animals were a new and popular innovation.

The parade passed down Main Street and returned to the Armories. More than two thousand people had congregated in front of the building. Santa had to be driven inside on a truck or his admirers would have mobbed him.

Seated on his throne, with his pack by his side, Santa shook hands with some 1,300 children. Each received an orange, gift of local merchants. Santa also got a few kisses, many requests for certain gifts and letters. Some toddlers were even afraid of him, but watched him afterwards from a distance.

The line-up was handled in record time, and unfortunately there was no way to prevent pushing.

The parade gave a great boost to local businesses and encouraged earlier shopping.

Thanks is expressed to the owners of the horses, the band, the C.D.S. and all others who contributed to the success of the event.