Bob at the Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade — Etobicoke Edition

There’s something about a grey December sky that makes Christmas colours pop a little brighter. Yesterday, Bob bundled up, slung his trusted Sony over his shoulder, and headed down to Lake Shore Boulevard for the annual Lakeshore Santa Claus Parade in Etobicoke. It’s one of those community parades where everyone feels like they’re part of the show—kids in snowsuits, parents with folding chairs, dogs in sweaters, and photographers like Bob drifting along the curb catching the little moments that make 

The first float to really catch Bob’s eye was the big one—the main man himself, Santa, rolling in with reindeer, tinsel ropes, and a sleigh full of colour. You could see the excitement in the crowd ripple forward the moment people spotted that classic red suit. Santa waved like he’d known everyone on the route personally for years. Bob got right up to the edge, letting the reindeer decorations fill the frame. It’s the kind of scene that reminds him why he loves street photography—you don’t just capture images, you collect stories.

A few floats later, Mrs. Claus made her appearance, beaming from her red sleigh beside a little North Pole post office. Bob loved how these community-built floats always have that handmade charm—painted shingles, foam snow, glitter, and imagination doing all the heavy lifting. He snapped a few shots as she waved to the crowd, and you could almost hear the kids around him whispering, “There she is!”

But the parade isn’t just about the North Pole. It’s also a slice of Toronto. Mayor Olivia Chow showed up walking the route, wearing a Santa hat and a big warm smile. Bob got a great shot of her greeting families along the boulevard. It’s moments like these that remind him how photography connects people—sometimes with a wave, sometimes with a nod, sometimes with a simple shared smile.

Not far behind came the gear heads’ favourite—a giant flatbed truck decked out with Christmas garland and hauling what looked like a winter maintenance machine. Bob always loves photographing working equipment, so this float felt right up his alley. 

And then the Toronto Fire Services engine rolled through—red lights reflecting off the wet pavement, candy-cane ribbons tied to the bumper. Bob remembers his dad working out of a fire hall nearby decades ago, so anytime a fire truck passes, he takes an extra shot for him.

The parade bands brought the music. The HMCS York Royal Canadian Navy band marched by in sharp uniforms topped with Santa hats. Bob always enjoys trying to catch that perfect mid-step photo where the trombone slides move in unison. Brass instruments in December—there’s nothing more Canadian.

Then the crowds cheered as the Grinch float came down the street, with Max beside him, looking guilty as always. Bob laughed behind the camera—parades always need a little mischief.

And right near the end? A burst of red. A lion dancer from Toronto’s Chinese community weaving its way down Lake Shore, dancing in time as an air cadet squad marched behind. Bob loved that shot—cultures layered together, celebrating side by side. A perfect Toronto moment.

By the time the parade wrapped up, Bob’s hands were cold, his memory card was full, and his heart felt lighter. That’s what these neighbourhood parades do. They’re not fancy, they’re not polished, but they’re real. Families waving, volunteers smiling, people of every background standing shoulder to shoulder waiting for that first glimpse of Santa.

And for Bob, that’s street photography at its best—capturing the city not as it pretends to be, but exactly as it is on a chilly December afternoon along Lake Shore Boulevard West.

Another great day on the street. Another story told.

And Santa even gave him a wave.