Thursday, December 21, 2017

The Sith Santa

Our Santa Claus parade was held here in November, on a day with light snow starting to fall. It started at City Hall, went west on Laurier, and turned down Bank Street to end at Lansdowne Park. The crowds came out, thicker in some spots than others, but generally well attended as I went along the parade route. I photographed extensively, heading back and forth. This first shot features actors from the National Arts Centre's production of A Christmas Carol.


Horse drawn carriages were a common sight during the parade.


The Ceremonial Guards, who spend the summer on Parliament Hill and at Rideau Hall, took part. 


There were several women in fairy tale guise; they're part of a company that do birthday parties.


This was entirely different- the Capital City Garrison of the 501st Legion took part in the parade as well this year. These are Star Wars fans who definitely go that extra step in costume wearing, with a good Obi-Wan Kenobi, Imperial Troopers, Sand People, and Sith Lords among them. Darth Vader wearing a black Santa hat was a good touch. 


Antique fire trucks and marching bands were part of the parade.


And of course at the end, the Jolly Elf himself, telling all the kids they'd been very good this year. Obviously he must have decided not to single me out as being perpetually on the naughty list.

27 comments:

  1. ...you folks must be hardier than us, no Christmas parade here!

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  2. Interesting to see all the different items in the Santa Claus parade. Star Wars?

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  3. Desejo um Santo e Feliz Natal com muita paz e saúde para o meu amigo e seus familiares. 🎄

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    O prazer dos livros

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  4. A Santa Claus parade with Obi-Wan Kenobi, Darth Vader and more Star Wars figures ... strange guys these Canadians ... ;-)

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  5. @Tom: this is a big tradition for us.

    @Marianne: yes, very strange, but people respond to it!

    @Janis: I thought so!

    @Francisco: thanks!

    @Jan: very peculiar!

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  6. Hello, the Christmas parade looks like a fun time. Enjoy your day!

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  7. It's interesting how the Star Wars phenomenon has infected the entire world. My favorite are the ceremonial guards.

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  8. Everybody likes a parade , especially a Santa Claus parade.

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  9. It's great to see & hear all of the bands!

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  10. Lovely to see a parade but I'd rather stand and watch in summer.

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  11. I love to hear a bagpipe band having lived in Scotland for several years - Father Christmas looks the cosiest in his warm outfit and travelling in style in his large red sledge.

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  12. More fascinating stuff from Ottawa! I always love a parade. Well, not so much here in Ocala, where they love Trump and guns and the baby Jesus but don't much like poor people, people of color, etc. :(

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  13. I am very impressed at your elaborate holiday parade! Love your header, too.

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  14. Parades are amazing and cheerful. Thank you for posting the neat photos!

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  15. I love Darth Maul at Christmas Parade :-)

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  16. @Eileen: it was fun!

    @Cloudia: you're welcome.

    @Sharon: there are a lot of fans!

    @Red: that's true.

    @RedPat: it is!

    @Jenny: it was a cold day.

    @Lowell: our parades are fun.

    @Kate: there are a lot of participants in this each year.

    @Maywyn: you're welcome.

    @Klara: Darth Maul was quite interactive!

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  17. I lived in Scotland for several years and it was always lovely to hear the bagpipes being played. Father Christmas has the best job all wrapped up in those warm clothes and pulled along on his luxurious red sleigh.

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  18. A Christmas parade for all to enjoy and watch for the big guy's appearance at the end. A fun time for all. Great photos, William.

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  19. A wonderful and great parade. A fun event to distract from the cold.

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  20. The weather may not have cooperated but it looks like quite a fun parade...certainly with a diverse cast of characters!

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  21. Sith Santa...is that anything like the Grinch?

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  22. It looks a grand parade ...

    All the best Jan

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  23. Wonderful photography of the fun parade ~

    Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year to you all,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  24. I've seen the princesses! Our girls (7 & 10) are beyond them, now. Some got a hat with a skull on it, the other a dinosaur! Hah!

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  25. @Rosemary: I do enjoy seeing the parade.

    @Bill: thank you!

    @Nancy: that it is.

    @Kay: quite diverse!

    @Norma: hah!

    @Jan: it's a big one.

    @Carol: thank you.

    @Jennifer: I imagine that company of princesses must be busy through the year.

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