7 things to know about the Santa Claus Parade

Everything you need to know about this year's Toronto Santa Claus Parade, as well as some fun facts about the iconic event's history.

Live reindeer were once part of the century-old celebration, which these days has its own iPhone app

CBC News Posted: Nov 13, 2015 5:00 AM EST | Last Updated: November 15, 2015

Sneak peek at the Toronto Santa Claus Parade

9 years ago

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The 111th Toronto Santa Claus Parade will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15.

As many as one millionpeople are lining the streets of Toronto on Sunday to watch Santa and Mrs. Claus, dozens offloats and thousandsof costumed volunteers make their way through the heart of the city to spread some holiday joy.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Toronto Santa Claus Parade, as well as some fun facts about the iconic event's history.

1. When and where

The 2015 parade started Sundayat 12:30 p.m. ET.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arejoined by26 floats, 21 marching bands and thousands of costumed participants.There is alsoa special Raptors float taking partthat will highlight theNBA All-Star Game, which is being played in Toronto in February.

The parade follows the same route as last year, beginningatBloorand Christie streets and endingat the intersection of Front andJarvisstreets at the St. Lawrence Market. You can check the TTC website for a list of all the transit diversions.

2. Track Santa on your phone

This year you can track Santa's movements on the official parade iPhone app. (Handout )

You can download the parade'sofficial iPhone app to track Santa's progressalong the route.

It also features bell noises so you can "ring out proud as Santa and all of his fabulous floats pass by."

3. It's 111years old

The Toronto Santa Claus Parade pre-dates the famousMacy's Thanksgiving DayParade in New York Cityby almost 20 years.

It started in 1905, whenit was just a one-man show featuringSt. Nick arrivingin the cityby train atUnion Station.

4. Live reindeer

In 1913, real live reindeer pulled Santa's sleigh through the streets of Toronto.The Eaton's chain of department stores, which ran the parade at the time, had the animals imported from Labrador, according to the parade's official website.

A plastic Rudolph leads the way for Santa's sleigh in this image from the 2013 Toronto Santa Claus Parade, but 100 years ago it was real, live reindeer doing the job. (Katherine Holland/CBC)

5. TV time

CBCtelevised the paradefor the first time in 1952 and continued to broadcast it every yearuntil 1983, when Global took over. CTV has aired the event since 2010 and is doingso this year from 4:30 to 6 p.m. ET.

6. 'Save our Santa'

In August 1982,amid a turbulent economy and mass layoffs at Eaton's stores, companypresident Frederik Eaton cancelled the beloved event.

"Times are difficult, and it seems silly to be spending money on a parade when we are having to let people go," he reportedlysaid at the time.

Metro Toronto chairman PaulGodfrey, now the president of the Postmedia newspaper chain, vowed to do everything he could to save the parade, andcitizens joined together to launch a "Save Our Santa" campaign.

Shortly after,Godfrey and Toronto MayorArt Eggleton announced the formation of a non-profit corporation to run the parade, headed up byMetro Toronto Zoo chairmanRon Barbaro andMcDonald's Canada presidentGeorge Cohon.

7. Celebrity clowns

The very next year, Barbaro came up with the idea of usingcelebrity clowns to raise funds for the parade. In1983,more than 60 executives paid $1,000 each to hand out balloons to childrenalong the parade route

This year's parade features 125 celebrity clowns, each of whom donated $1,200 to dress up and hand out candy to kids in the crowd.