Santa brings cheer to Cookstown
by Susan Stein

On Saturday, December 2nd Santa Claus, invited by the Cookstown Lions Club, came to the village, and was welcomed by a great, colourful, parade with floats, dancing girls, marching Guides, Brownies, Sparks, costumed dogs, and more.

Thanks to the efficient work by Parade Marshall Jim Arnold, the parade was well organized for the route up Queen Str. and then north on King to the Fire Hall.

With his help, I received the marching order to give to my readers: The Fire truck, the Fire engine form the Innisfil Fire Department, MP Peter Van Loans float with a replica of the Parliament Building, Step dancers from the Cookstown Academy of Dance, Innisfil Public Library with Librarians as cats, Guides Cookstown Guides, Brownies, Sparks and leaders, Verdyol Plants, Living Faith Community Presbyterian Church, Baxter, Cookstown United and Cookstown St. John's Anglican Church Youth Group, Cookstown Antique Market, Cookstown Central Public School, Peter Vanderpost (elf on sleigh with pony), Antique

Market, Green Door, Georgian Bay Steam Show, Grenville Farms for Guzzling Goose Pub pulled by horses,owned by Bill Argent ,Bill Argent, Home Hardware providing music, Glen Varcoe of Property Care, Trotter Service Station and then the most important: Santa Claus.

On behalf of all residents of Cookstown, visitors, many, many thanks to all participants, who devoted their time to make this parade an event to remember.

The Mayor of The Town of Innisfil Brian Jackson, Councillor Paul Wardllaw and myself, had the task to choose the prize winners . It was not an easy job, as we would have gladly given a prize to each and everyone one for making this parade such a success. The consensus came to that conclusion: 1st prize - Cookstown Co-op Playgroup, 2nd - Cookstown Central Public School, 3d - Youth Group and Honourable mention - Peter Vanderpost.