A 30-year tradition continued Sunday when the Couchiching Fire Department and Education Department brought Santa in for a quick visit before Christmas.
All of the children—aged 10 and under—received a gift from jolly ol’ St. Nick and his “elves,” who were composed primarily of members of the Borderland Thunder.
The entourage drove along Highway 11 and throughout the reserve on the top of a fire truck. And apparently, it wasn’t just the kids who had all the fun.
“It was so much fun just to see their faces,” said Couchiching Fire Capt. Christine Jourdain, who was one of the event organizers.
“I remember when I was a kid, I used to get such a kick out of this and now here I am handing out presents to my son and the other kids,” she added.
The parade started at the Noden Causeway and proceeded east along the highway to the Five-Mile Dock Road, where it made the loop and back onto the highway.
It then continued west to Harry’s Road, made the loop there, and then west again to Gabe’s Road, where it did the same thing.
The parade ended at the fire hall on Frog Creek Drive, where the crowd on hand was treated to pizza and pop.
According to Capt. Jourdain, nearly 400 people either followed the parade route or waited at the end. All in all, it was well worth the effort, she said.
“The kids so look forward to it and it’s so nice to see everybody come out that way,” Capt. Jourdain enthused. “It’s well worth our time.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
