The 56th Annual Santa Claus Parade (2021)/Telecast Script

Below is the English telecast script for the 2021 Santa Claus Parade.

## Moment of silence for those killed during the Waukesha Christmas Parade

Les Marshak: Before we welcome everyone to TheCreativeCanadian's Santa Claus Parade, we ask that everyone would please remain silent at this time. 13 days ago, a serious tragedy took place.

(Clips from the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack are shown on screen)

In Waukesha, Wisconsin, a city 19 miles west of Milwaukee, the city was having its Christmas Parade. At first, there was nothing wrong, but then someone in a red Ford Escape plunged into the crowd, crashing into the parade as it was being held. This Ford Escape collided into a high school marching band and other groups participating in the parade. At least five people were killed, and over 40 were injured. Police and firefighters were immediately called, and the parade turned into a disastrous mess. Everyone was running for their lives, calling out loved ones, and leaving their folding chairs behind, and firefighters assisted the injured while police tracked down the suspect.

This was a horrible tragedy and we at TheCreativeCanadian's Santa Claus Parade stand by those who were injured, and may those who were killed by the vehicle rest in peace. To show how much you care for the injured and to pay respects for those who died on the night of the parade, we ask that you please join us in a moment of silence.

Thank you. For more information on this attack, learn more on your local news network, donate to the To Waukesha With Love charity as part of the Santa Claus Parade's #TheParadeCares campaign, and use #TheParadeCares to show that you care about those who where killed and injured.

## Opening

With that being said, live from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, we are proud to present the biggest parade in the world! Welcome to the 2021 TheCreativeCanadian's Santa Claus Parade! For the 56th year, one of Toronto's two holiday parades is finally back on the streets after being a televised-only parade last year. This time, we're having our first daytime parade since 1998! Today's parade features 37 mind-blowing floats, 30 of the world's best marching bands, hundreds of colourful characters, and direct from his world tour, Santa Claus! All this and more on TheCreativeCanadian's Santa Claus Parade, broadcasted on every network around the world! And now, here's your hosts, Al Roker and Hoda Kotb!

## Hosts' Introduction

Al Roker: Hi everyone, and welcome to Front Street, where today, the world's biggest parade is back on the streets! Today we are celebrating the 56th TheCreativeCanadian's Santa Claus Parade, which has been a globally renowned phenomenon since 1966!

Hoda Kotb: Every year, this parade is seen on every network around the world, and we are so happy the parade is back here in Toronto the Good. This year, we've got a fantastic lineup. We've got floats, we've got bands, we've got everything that makes a parade something enjoyed by everyone.

Al: Now, I know what you're probably thinking; "Yeah, we know about the floats, we know about the bands, but who are you?" Well, I'm glad you asked. My name's Al Roker.

Hoda: And my name's Hoda Kotb. If you live in New York, you might recognize us from the Today Show and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but today we're hosting this parade, and we're very excited to be your hosts for this year's spectacle.

Al Roker: But we're not the only ones hosting this parade. We also have our street anchor, TikTok sensation Hassan Khadair and his Mickey Mouse puppet!

Hoda: How are you Mickey?

Hassan: I'm doing great! I'm super excited to work with you guys.

Hoda: Well, we're excited to work with you because we know how popular you are on TikTok.

Hassan: Well, of course you're excited. I'M THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

Al and Hoda: \*Laughs\*

Hassan: I SOUND LIKE BATMAN.

Al: Yeah, I can totally hear Batman in your voice.

Hassan: Well, listen, I gotta get going, so I'll chat with you guys later. I understand that you're about to go to your setup, so have fun at the parade!

Hoda: You too, Mickey! Well, we're on our way to our setup!

## Al and Hoda check out their setup

Al: Wow, look at this!

Hoda: I could spend all day in here!

Al: Me too! Look, there's a fireplace! That'll keep us warm.

Hoda: There's a tree here too, and oh my gosh, look at all of the ornaments! Oh, I like that one.

Al: That one's probably my favourite. THERE'S INFLATABLES TOO?

Hoda: \*Laughs\* Oh my gosh this is hilarious...

Al: There's the Grinch climbing out of a chimney, we got a brain freeze reindeer with an ice cream cone,

Hoda: There's Snoopy and Woodstock at a mailbox,

Al: We even got Clark Griswold from National Lampoon's Vacation!

Hoda: \*Laughs\*

Al: Look at this- \*Laughs\*

Hoda: that's the best one for sure. Oh look, there's a stack of LED presents too! Where'd you get this Grace?

Director: Home Depot.

Hoda: The Home Depot. Look at how tall they are!

Al: I know, they're even taller than me! How did that happen?

Al and Hoda: \*Laughs\*

Hoda: Well, let's take a seat in our VIP couches, and-

Al: VIP COUCHES- \*Laughs\*

Hoda: You can tell this portion of the broadcast is unscripted. \*Laughs\*

Al: Oh, I didn't even notice this! Check this out Hoda, it's a TV screen, and look what movie it's playing! It's the new Christmas movie 8-Bit Christmas starring Neil Patrick Harris!

Hoda: Oh, that's so cool! Listen, if you're addicted to video games, you gotta check that movie out.

Al: Well, as our announcer mentioned earlier, today we look back on what happened during the Waukesha Christmas Parade in Wisconsin. This was an awful tragedy. Someone in a red Ford Escape drove into the parade, plunging into the crowds.

Hoda: The vehicle injured over 40 spectators and killed at least five. Because of this, the parade had to be cancelled, and everyone was running for their lives, while first responders checked on the spectators and participants that were injured and took them to hospitals.

Al: We hope everyone that was injured is doing okay, and those who we lost are forever in our hearts. May they rest in peace.

Hoda: TheCreativeCanadian's Santa Claus Parade is showing support for those who were injured and killed by organizing the To Waukesha With Love charity as part of the #TheParadeCares campaign. You can donate money to ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital and other hospitals across the state of Wisconsin, and all of the money goes straight to those hospitals and charities. You can donate to this fundraiser now through January 5th.