(Dear English reader, please scroll down to find the ‘click’ for English translation)

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Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas !

满街的人喜气洋洋，小孩蹦蹦跳跳。有些小孩和大人们带上了圣诞头饰。

当然，圣诞节还未到，但昨天多伦多市中心却比真正的圣诞节更热闹。

因为，昨天是多伦多一年一度，也是北美最大型的圣诞花车游行。

这游行始于1905年，当时是由多伦多出名的百货公司Eaton赞助。

至今有整百年历史，历经二世界大战，经济大衰退。

读到，在第二次世战时，资源贫乏，游行服装都是用纸做的。

Ed当然知道这游行，但从来没去过。他说，这是小孩才去的。

我耍赖，说我是游客，硬要去凑凑热闹，Ed无奈，唯有和我这大小孩去。

气温虽只有四，五度，可太阳公公也出来陪小孩欢庆。

游行在12.30开始，我们一点多才到。

看来，有许多人像一早拿了椅子地毯食物等，在路边霸好位子一边看一边野餐似的。

除了约二十多辆的花车，还有许多穿上小丑，仙女，动物等服饰的队伍，逗得小孩大人们乐呼呼。

24队乐队一路上奏着圣诞歌，圣诞气氛浓厚。

我们刚好在Sick Children Hospital 前看。

我偶尔见到脸有病容的小孩脸上或他们的父母们脸上展现的笑容，真的很感动。

至少，那个时候，他们可以暂时抛开病楚忧虑，可以忘情地欢庆。

圣诞老人花车是压轴。他这亲切的老人一出现，人们好开心，有些小孩还追着花车跑。

游行在2.45才圆满结束。

散开的人们心中一定欣喜, 小孩们心中一定更渴望圣诞快快到来。

Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas ! Merry Christmas !

People on streets were all feeling festive. Children were jumping around. Many people were wearing anything to do with Christmas. Of course, Christmas is not here yet. However, yesterday afternoon, the main streets of Toronto downtown were possibly much more festive than the actual Christmas Day. This was because many Torontonians, especially those with children, flooded Toronto downtown eagerly to check out the Santa Claus Parade. This parade is one of the largest in North America and it has been held for over hundred years. It started in 1905 by Eaton Department Store. Over the last hundred years, it has not only survived against the two World wars and Great Depression, its size and floats have become more extravagant for the past few years.

Ed told me about this Parade but he himself never been before. He said, only children or parents with children would go to such parade. As a tourist or newcomer of Canada, I insisted to go to experience it. He had no choice but agreed. Though it was quite cold (4 to 5 degree Celcius), luckily, the sun was out yesterday. The Parade started at 12.30pm and we arrived around 1.30pm. The streets were packed with people, some looked very well prepared. They had brought along chairs, blankets and food, just like they were somewhere picnicking.

Apart from the 24 floats, there were over one thousands marchers and another 24 bands playing Christmas songs and musics all along. Children and adults were all excited and enjoyed themselve. We happened to watch the Parade next to the Sick Children Hospital. Seeing the sick children and their parents for once did not have to worry about their illnesses but just enjoyed themselves, were very touching to me. Santa Claus float was the last one to appear and he was the one everybody was waiting for. Children were so thrilled to see him and some even chasing after the float.

The Parade finished at 2.45pm. I am sure, everyone leaving with memorable memories and children must be hoping for the quicker arrival of Christmas.