The Sea Cadets know all about water and they dealt with the light drizzle the way everyone else did - they just put up with it and continued to march smartly.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  December 5, 2011  –  It was a drizzly day but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from lining Guelph Line and New Street as the Santa Clause parade worked its way through the city with wide eyed little boys and girls taking in all the sights.  And sights there were.

It's a Christmas message that often gets forgotten as we hustle and bustle through the malls. "and he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace!

The only thing that wasn’t there was a camel with three wise men walking behind the thing.

Hearing Jingle Bell then Silent night on steel drums - was a pure delight.

All the usual suspects – The Lions, the Rotary, Crime Stoppers, Regional Police and representation from half a dozen religious groups and bands from the high schools as well.

The Burlington Teen Tour Band, a little soggy and bedraggled by the end of the parade were placed just in front of the Big Guy with the red suit who brought it all to a close.

While it was "cap in hand" the Mayor was out there with a hockey stick and a sock raising funds. Thought to be the only member of Council in the parade.

The Mayor was spotted walking along with a hockey stick that had a sock attached to the end of it – a fund raiser.

The Burlington Gymnastic Club put their talent out on the street and did things with their bodies that made many parents look on in amazement as they watched what these well trained young girls could do.

Residents lined the streets to watch the floats pass by and use the time to chat with their neighbours.

And, typical of Burlington, parents and neighbours gathered in small groups at the end of those streets that accessed New Street and sipped coffee and held their umbrellas in place.  One street had a small BBQ set up with a propane tank in place.

Clogging up the Woodward and Guelph Line intersection - this band was just great.

The Mayor seemed to be the only politician taking part – but we didn’t catch every float – so perhaps they were at the front of the line.

A little worse for the drizzling rain, the Burlington Teen Tour Band colour party kept the flags flying as they escorted Santa and his sleigh through the streets of the city

That suit of armour has the little girl in pink to the left absolutely amazed

Robinson High School band - beat a nice military sound and certainly enjoyed themselves.

The Bayhawks Soccer Club played a bit of a pick up game as they worked their way down Guelph Line.