Street Cart Christmas Parade Sunday

Sunday’s annual Streets Carts Christmas Parade is turning into one of the more unique and treasured holiday events in Canyon Lake. The festively-decorated golf and street carts will traverse the entire length of Canyon Lake Drive North and South with cheering Canyon Lake families and friends cheering them on.

Although the parade has become a staple of the holiday season in the community, the whole purpose of the event, according to Mike Shroyer, the founder and president of the Street Carts of Canyon Lake Club that puts on the event, is the accompanying Toy Drive.

Those participating donate new and unwrapped toys for the right to party and drive down the center of town. Others in Canyon Lake also contribute toys which will be distributed to families in the area falling on hard times.

“The Street Carts of Canyon Lake Club is much more than a group of people with golf carts,” Mike said. “Its values are based on the notion of families helping families while emphasizing the neighborly values in Canyon Lake.”

The 11th Annual Toy Drive and Christmas Parade is a holiday tradition in Canyon Lake. The carts range in decorations from simple bows and garland to elaborate carts where the cart is barely visible under all its decorations.

The parade line up will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Blue Bird Drive and the parade will start at approximately 5:00 p.m. from Blue Bird Drive, head down Canyon Lake Drive, and end at Eastport Park.

Awards will be presented for the best-decorated carts in the following categories: Best Lights, Best Theme, Most Outrageous and Toy Donations.

Everyone is encouraged to donate to the toy drive. New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off in a drop box at 22055 Mustang Court until Dec 15. The toy box is checked daily and the toys will be donated to Victory Calvary Chapel. Toys can also be dropped off at Eastport Park at the end of the parade.

Monetary donations are also being solicited. For those wishing to make these donations, they can call Mike Shroyer at 951-244-6461.

The Street Carts of Canyon Lake Club invites residents to decorate a golf cart and participate in the parade. All carts are welcome to join the parade, but participants must complete and return the Toy Drive & Parade Waiver downloadable at www.canyonlakepoa.com/toydrive. Waivers can be returned in person the day of the event at the formation line-up at Blue Bird Hall.

The entry fee for each cart entering the parade is one new donated toy. There are several rules on the waiver form that must be followed, including the requirement that each cart carry a fire extinguisher.

There will be no street parking on Canyon Lake Drive South/North (adjacent to the parade route) on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vehicles/golf carts may park on the opposite side of the street or on side streets during this timeframe.

During the parade (approximately 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) vehicle traffic will be reduced to 5 MPH and vehicle traffic will not be permitted to pass the parade.

Due to the event being in the evening, and for the safety of the spectators and participants, there will be no distribution of any items such as candy or promotional items on the parade route.