Welcome Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. 7:00 pm

1. Welcome Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013. 7:00 pm

2. Introductions: Our Parade Committee Bob Jackson John Ewanick Gene Shackelton David Kuchma Al Holt Bob Holt Dave McCormick Russ Fish Earl Taylor Leo Lynch Gregg Paisley Jim Wakefield Neal Ambrose Barry Bottineau Barry Newman Terry Lanning Ritchie Stewart Chris McConnell

3. 2013 Theme “It's Magic, It's Merry, It's Christmas”

4. 2012 Winners Best Theme - Milestones Children’s Centre Best Children’s Entry - St. Thomas Skating Club Best Commercial - Presstran Industries Most Unusual - Pearce Williams Christian Centre Most Photogenic - St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital & Steelway & Berry Hill Best High School - St. Joseph’s Catholic High School Best Elementary Sch. - St. Thomas Community Christian School Best Overall - NAPA Auto Pro

5. Welcome to our 2013 Grand Marshal, Optimist Cliff Maxwell

6. Parade Rules & Regulations • All vehicles and floats are to be decorated and well lit, keeping with the holiday season.

7. Registration fee Commercial - $50.00 Not for Profit - $35.00 To be paid before tonight

8. There will be no candy distributed at the parade. Anyone found in violation of this will not be allowed in next year's parade.

9. Flyers or advertisements (or anything else) are not to be handed out during the parade. These sheets tend to be left behind and litter the street.

10. A driver of the float must remain with the vehicle at all times during the staging portion of the parade.

11. We do not want to confuse the children with more than one Santa Claus. The Optimist Club of St. Thomas will provide the one and only Santa Claus at the end of the parade.

12. No riders are allowed on their floats during entry to the staging area.

13. In order to have a smooth flowing parade, all vehicles must keep moving when possible. Otherwise the length of the parade is extended and gaps can occur. This results in much frustration for spectators. Please keep it moving!

14. Any animal walking in the parade must be “diapered”. There are many people who walk the parade route – parade marshalls, parade entries, band members. They expect the street to be “manure-free”

15. No collection of money, or solicitation of spectators is allowed.

16. Watch for children getting too close to your float. • We want everyone to staySAFE!

17. … from CNN.COM/US Boy killed by parade float PLANT CITY, Florida (AP) -- A 9-year-old boy died after being run over by a church float in a Christmas parade. Jordan Hayes was walking alongside the float, … when his foot was caught by a wheel and he fell under the float Friday night, said Police Chief Bill McDaniel. Parade watchers shouted at the driver to back up, but the pickup truck pulling the Greater Heights Family Worship Center float ran over Jordan a second time. The driver is Jordan's cousin, authorities said. Jordan, of Inverness, Florida, had been in Plant City visiting a brother. "This is a tragedy that defies words," McDaniel said. "This was supposed to be a time of celebration and joy, but it has turned into a terrible tragedy."

18. Christmas parade accident kills N.L. man • Carbonear man, 41, run over after falling from float • The Canadian Press • Posted: Dec 11, 2011 7:35 PM ET • Parade fatality • A joyous day in eastern Newfoundland was marred by tragedy when a man was killed after being run over by a Christmas parade float, RCMP said Sunday. • The incident happened after the parade had wrapped up in Carbonear, Sgt. Wayne Newell told CBC News. • He said the victim, 41, was headed home on a flatbed trailer that had served as the float. • The truck that was towing the trailer made a turn, causing the man — who had been sitting on a rail — to fall from the float. • "He fell on the inside of the turn and actually went under the wheels, to the best of our knowledge," Newell said. "[He] suffered a very tragic death as he was dragged underneath the wheels of the transport trailer." • Newell said the man was dragged a "considerable distance" and died from his injuries at the scene. His name was not immediately released. Three other people who were on the float — members of a local motorcycle club — were not hurt. • The incident remains under investigation, but police said they do not suspect foul play. • Newell said investigators were speaking to a handful of adults who witnessed the accident. He said it's not believed that any children saw what happened. • "This is a horrific incident for these people to have seen, especially at this time of year," he said. "It's a terrible ending to what was supposed to be a happy event."

19. Boy's death at Preeceville parade an 'extreme tragedy' Eight-year-old was run over by float at town's centennial parade CBC News Posted: Jul 9, 2012 4:20 PM CST Family members of a Prince Albert, Sask., boy who was killed by a parade float in Preeceville say they are shocked by what they call an "extreme tragedy." The eight-year-old boy died on Saturday afternoon after he jumped off the front end of the float — a trailer being pulled by a pickup truck — and was run over. The incident took place on the Preeceville School grounds, near the end of a parade to celebrate the town's 100th anniversary. "It was an extreme tragedy. I guess it affected the whole family and the community very deeply," Colin Korney, the boy's uncle, told CBC News on Monday. Korney said he will remember the child as a happy boy. RCMP did not release the deceased boy's name. Reports originally said he was seven years old, but on Monday police said he had celebrated his eighth birthday on Thursday. The boy was on the float with three adults during the parade. As the event was wrapping up, he jumped off the float as it was moving very slowly, according to police. Two nurses from a nearby float tried to help the boy. He was taken to hospital in Preeceville, where he died a short time later. RCMP say foul play is not suspected in the child's death, but officers have seized both the trailer and the truck as part of their investigation.

20. The north parking lot of Timken will be available for dropping people off. • The south end, in front of Timken, is being reserved for the Marching Bands. • Parents are not allowed to drive into the staging area.

21. FLOATS Enter Here From North Canadian Tire WALMART Staging Area East Lane of First Ave to remain open Canadian Timken Gas Pumps Libro

22. A portable washroom will also be available on the Timken property.

23. There will be Optimist Leo Lynch at the end of Talbot Street. They will either direct you straight through on Talbot, or signal you to turn left onto Elgin Street.

24. Tractor Trailers and large floats will go straight on Talbot to disembark riders along Talbot St from Elgin to William St • Smaller floats will turn left on Elgin to disembark riders at your pre-determined location. YOU CANNOT STOP HERE! • Only Talbot is closed – the remainder of streets are open to public transportation • Be prepared!

25. Some ideas for your groups include: • Wellington Street School, Old Co-Op Lumber yard, municipal parking lot behind CIBC, IGA Foodland on William, etc.

26. If you have any digital pictures you would be willing to share with us, please email them to us through our website: www.optimistsantaclausparade.com

27. Next year’s parade will be on Sat., Nov. 22, 2014, at 6:00 pm.

28. Be On Your Best Behaviour: ROGERS TELEVISION will be televising the parade, and re-broadcasting many times. Check local listings for times. Smile, Smile, Smile, but don’t STOP MOVING!

29. Parade registration numbers will be distributed during this meeting. Please don’t leave without them. Registration Numbers are only for identification. “First In” does not necessarily mean “First Out”.

30. Positioning of Registration Number • Front, Top Right (Passenger Side) 135

31. Thanks to our Sponsors:

32. HAVE FUN & ENJOY THE PARADE THANK YOU FOR COMING