Kettle Valley parade returns with Christmas cheer and awareness

• Various businesses built floats for the parade
• Parade supported two charities
• Organizers hope it will continue to grow

For the second year in row, a local mother is turning her grief into an opportunity to spread joy and help vulnerable youth in our community.

The Kettle Valley Santa Claus Parade rolled through the neighborhood Saturday.

The event was actually started last year aimed at bringing smiles during the difficult time brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The organizers now hope it will become a big yearly event with an ever-increasing reach.

“This has not happened in many, many years in Kelowna. I heard yesterday from 8-10 years ago they haven’t had a parade. I think this will bring a lot of joy to the community,” Pam Turgeon the parade organizer told Kelowna10.

Last year there were only four floats constructed in just two weeks. This year’s had 14 decorated floats from various businesses. Plus, a police cruiser and firetruck as escorts.

The convoy circled the perimeter of Kettle Valley and swung into a few neighbourhoods before finishing at the Kettle Valley Pub.

The float with Santa Claus himself parked in front of the pub, offering children the chance to get their photo taken for a small donation.

Non-perishable food donations were accepted on behalf of the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

The requirement for any business wanting to enter their float in the parade was a $500 donation to The Bridge, Youth and Family Services. The goal was to raise $10,000 for the Youth Recovery House campaign.

That cause is near and dear to Turgeon after the loss of her son Ryan to an accidental fentanyl overdose in 2016.

“That crushed our family. I found him, so it was very traumatizing and very hard on all of us,” Turgeon said.

“Our youth is our future and if we don’t help them a lot more deaths are going to happen. So, it’s a very important charity for me.”

On the Christmas tree in the Turgeon home, Ryan’s baby shoes have become a decoration. Turgeon has become a strong advocate for Moms Stop the Harm.

The funds raised by the parade will be used by The Bridge for their various programs and to end the stigma behind addiction and overdose deaths.

Turgeon hopes to continue growing the parade and hopefully to get City Council involved to bring the parade to more of Kelowna.