The Santa Claus parade is set to wind through downtown Toronto later this month, despite looming funding shortfalls that made it unclear whether or not it would return for its 121st year.

At a preview in Toronto Tuesday, David McCarthy, chair of the Original Santa Claus Parade board of directors, said the free parade is in a better position financially, though “not out of the woods yet.”

Last year, parade organizers told reporters at a media preview they needed $250,000 from the public to stage the annual event in 2025, due to an increase in costs and a decrease in corporate sponsors.

McCarthy called the public response “outstanding, quite magical.” At the preview, he explained that costs are rising for everyone, the parade included, and funding from all three levels of government only

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