A local broadcaster has stepped forward in Chilliwack to continue the tradition of the annual Santa parade downtown.
Star 98.3 and its sister station FUN FM came out with a proposal Tuesday to chip in $13,000 to sponsor the event, with the city’s contribution remaining at $7,000.
Mayor Sharon Gaetz called it an exciting development for the community.
“I see by the terms this is a very generous offer on their part,” she said at the meeting. “I had no sooner left council chambers after the last meeting, and my phone was ringing about this.”
This will keep the popular parade motoring along and will even allow for some expansion.
It’s a “fantastic” outcome, she said.
“Thank you to Star FM for jumping in and keeping this a truly community event.”
The Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association recently gave notice of its decision not to coordinate the event, after many years of successful community leadership with the downtown parade.
Last year’s budget for the parade was $15,000 but this year it will increase to $20,000 with the new partnership.
“We have always been involved with the parade in one way or another,” said STAR 98.3 Operations Manager Melanie Green. “We have many great partners in the community, and we are looking forward to putting on a great event for Chilliwack.”
The parade attracts thousands of spectators to the downtown for the launch of the Christmas holiday season.