Student and staff-volunteers from various NC programs and departments had the chance to share in the joy of the holiday season by participating in regional Santa Claus parades. Volunteers contributed to the festive atmosphere at the Niagara Falls (Nov. 16) and Welland (Nov. 23) parades, supporting logistics and walking in the parades to represent the College community and spread holiday cheer.
Students from the Police Foundations program supported security operations for the parades, while the Centre for Student Engagement and Leadership (CSEL) team provided NC swag and walked with students in the Welland parade. The Community Relations and Event (CRE) team organized student participants, coordinated with parade organizers, walked alongside the students, and prepared swag bags for all participants.
NC’s new official mascot, “Noble of Niagara” also joined the Welland parade, dancing and engaging with attendees along the streets to bring extra energy and excitement to the festivities.
Another key student group that supported the Niagara Falls parade was from NC’s Broadcasting – Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program. For many years, BRTF students have taken part in the parade by providing live broadcast coverage. This year, third-year Television Production students took the reins, using the College’s Mobile TV truck to stream the parade live online. In partnership with YourTV/Cogeco, students also broadcasted the parade live on their channel, bringing the festive event to viewers across the region.
NC’s mascot, Noble of Niagara, joined the Welland parade, bringing extra energy and excitement to the festivities.
These parades are among the few to offer live coverage, attracting attention throughout Ontario as various Cogeco networks carry the broadcast. For students involved, the project provided an invaluable experience, giving them a unique opportunity to work on broadcast production in a real-world setting.
Peter “Dutch” VandenBerg, Program Coordinator and Professor in NC’s BRTF program, spoke to the challenges and learning opportunities the project presented for students.
“This project is very different from what we normally do in the classroom,” said VandenBerg. “It’s a challenge given the logistics of various floats, crowds, weather, and the location at the end of the parade route. The parade starts at 4 p.m., so we begin in daylight and finish in the dark–a fun challenge in television broadcasting, as we need light to capture good images.”
Each student had a distinct role in broadcasting the parade, from Producer and Director to Graphics and Audio, and Camera Operators.
Third-year Television Production student Sierra Maurice was the Broadcast Producer for the event, overseeing smooth transitions between each float and ensuring the production stayed on track. Maurice, who hopes to be a Producer one day, found the experience particularly beneficial in providing critical skills for her future career.
Third-year Television Production students provided live broadcast coverage of the Niagara Falls parade.
“Learning how to be adaptable and quick on my feet were two major skills I gained,” said Maurice. “I also learned the art of communication in high-pressure environments, coordinating with multiple parties at once. The amount of preparation that goes into something like this, with so many moving parts, was something I learned to appreciate.”
For Maurice, the most rewarding part of participating in the parade was helping bring the magic of the event to viewers at home.
“Everyone involved in the parade worked so hard to bring joy to the community,” she said. “Being part of that and showcasing the magic of the parade was indescribable, especially doing it with close friends and classmates. Celebrating a successful broadcast together made the experience even more special.”
Third-year Television Production student Zoe Smith took on the role of Broadcast Director, ensuring the live broadcast was both engaging and visually captivating for viewers. Her role involved making key decisions about camera transitions, on-screen graphics, and audio cues.
Each student had a distinct role in broadcasting the parade, from Producer and Director to Graphics and Audio, and Camera Operators.
Smith found that working on the parade’s live broadcast was a unique experience that gave her a deeper understanding of the nuances that differentiate one broadcast from the next.
“This experience has given me real-world exposure to broadcast production that we don’t typically see in our coursework,” said Smith. “I’ve developed key skills in pacing, timing, and visual storytelling. The fast-paced nature of the live broadcast also enhanced my multitasking abilities, coordinating with different departments while staying focused on the larger picture.”
Above all, Smith valued the opportunity to collaborate with others, including new team members she had never worked with before, all united in working toward a common goal.
“The sense of teamwork and shared purpose made the entire experience all the more rewarding,” she said.
You can watch the Niagara Falls Santa Claus parade livestream, broadcasted by NC’s BRTF students, here.
