Toronto’s real-estate war was given over to children on Sunday, as they negotiated the best way to see the action at the Santa Claus Parade. Many parked themselves atop their parents’ shoulders, oblivious to any back pain their Thermos-toting mom or dad might endure. A child in a reindeer toque complained that this MechWarrior-like arrangement hurt his legs, so a stranger who overheard the problem wheeled over a large recycling bin for him to stand on. While the child watched the marching band warm up with “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” he exclaimed, “I’m tall!”
A block west at Christie Pits, latecomers had to work for their spot. Two youngsters occupied a high and uncomfortable branch up in a tree, legs precariously dangling to the side as they focused on the parade. Kitty-corner, another youngster arrived late and stood on a pipe outside Pizza Park pizzeria to elevate above the crowds. That this setup got in the way of everyone inside the building did not seem to faze him; he excitedly pointed to what was going on and tapped on the store window glass to cheer. Then he went wild, doing a pseudo dance on his small pipe platform. With his perfect location, he was the first one to notice what meant more to him than anyone he blocked: “Santa’s coming! Santa’s coming!”
