Mark the calendar: the annual Christmas parade takes place this coming Saturday, Dec. 1, in downtown New Westminster, starting at 4 p.m.

Afterwards, a tree-lighting ceremony will be held in Hyack Square to highlight the 38-foot-tall tree that will be on display throughout the season.

Organizers say this year's event features a variety of entertainment through the evening, as well as food trucks, children's activities and a photo booth.

Children attending the festivities are encouraged to bring letters to Santa, which can be delivered to Canada Post elves for delivery to the North Pole. They should be addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole, HOH OHO and must include a return address.

Donations of non-perishable food items or cash, in support of families in need, will be accepted at the CIBC Santa Claus photo booth in Hyack Square.

The Hyack Festival went to city council earlier this year to talk about creating a revitalized holiday festival without the parade itself, but councillors expressed concern about eliminating the longstanding tradition.

However, this year's event does include some aspects of the proposed new festival.

"I think we are on the right track," Douglas Smith, Hyack Festival Association president, told The Record recently. "We have got to build the event up if it stays that way. If we transition to something else, this is the start of that."

editorial@ royalcityrecord.com