More than 500 Santas ditched the sleigh and reindeer to run along a five kilometre route Saturday night, showing their Christmas spirit and raising money for charity.
The streets of Amherstburg flooded in red and white during the 5th annual Super Santa Run, the first year it took place before the Amherstburg River Lights Festival opening ceremonies.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Susanne Tomkins said, communications and development coordinator for the Essex Region Conservation Foundation. “People love dressing up. They get a kick out of putting the suit on.”
She is optimistic they with reach their goal of $5,000 by looking at the large turnout.
Parents with strollers, dogs on leashes, groups and sports teams all showed up to raise money, run for charity, and, most importantly, show their holiday cheer.
Over 500 runners get set to race along a five-kilometre route for the fifth annual Super Santa Run in Amherstburg Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (JOEL BOYCE/The Windsor Star)
Tomkins said she is thrilled this year’s turnout drew more than 100 runners than last year. All participants received a free five-piece Santa suit for the run, including a traditional red jacket, pants, belt, hat and, of course, Santa’s beard.
“This event is fun for the whole family,” Ken Schmidt said, the president for the foundation. “In addition to promoting healthy and active living, it is a great way to kick off the holiday season.”
The River Lights Winter Festival and Municipal Tree Lighting Ceremony followed immediately after Super Santa Run. The seventh-annual festival continued with their tradition, displaying Santa’s Coming to Town on a big screen, the Municipal Tree Lighting and fireworks that lit up the sky over the Detroit River.
“What a great show of community spirit,” Marilyn Brockman said. She, along with her husband, Tom, took part in the Santa run during their 39th anniversary.
“River Lights just keeps getting better and better every year,” Anne Rota said, manager of Amherstburg’s Tourism and Culture. “It’s a time when olde fashioned holiday spirit fills the air in a quaint Victorian setting. You can feel the magic all around.”
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Maegan Parker, 12, and her sister Emily Parker, 8, hold up signs at the Start and Finish line during the fifth annual Super Santa Run in Amherstburg Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (JOEL BOYCE/The Windsor Star)
Windsor couple Chris and Sara Fredriksson run with a stroller during the fifth annual Super Santa Run in Amherstburg Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. (JOEL BOYCE/The Windsor Star)
