2025 was the first Santa Claus Parade put together by members of the Optimist Club, and to date, the biggest yet.
Absent from the role as Float Santa was Dave Fridgen- a decision he had made after 2024’s Parade.
Oldies 107.7 had the opportunity to share “Ho Ho ho’s” with the man who held the reindeer reins from 2009 to 2024.
Dave Fridgen says Santa’s not as spry as he once was.
Fridgen continues to portray Santa Claus- just no more sleighs, and no more chimneys.
In coming down the ladder off the Float, Fridgen’s time in the role prompted him to proffer a piece of advice
Fridgen still believes his idea is sound, but maybe new Float Santa Brad McKay needs a drenching first.
He has another tip on enhancing the Santa experience that anyone can use.
There have been some memories of the role that have brought a tear to Santa’s twinkling eye.
It’s the attentive listening to children’s wish lists that goes a long way in making Santa Dave Fridgen the real deal.
By Rick Stow
*We had a little help from AI in researching historical data about the various volunteers who have portrayed Santa Claus in Arnprior over the years, so we asked our co-pilot to complete one last assignment before the Christmas Break:
