Tomorrow is the annual London (ON) Santa Claus Parade. I had the honour of performing three times in this parade over the years. The last time was as it's Grand Marshall. More on that in a bit.

The first time was in 1978. I was asked by the promotion director of CFPL-TV (now CTV2) to be on the station's float for all 10 of the SW Ontario floats they were going to be in that season. It was five Saturdays in a row, one parade in the morning and the second in the afternoon. This meant getting up at 6:00am, driving down to the Western Fair grounds - where the float was built and kept - towing the float to the first town in time for 9:00am and waiting in line to go.

As you can see from the video, captured by my brother-in-law on an 8mm camera, without sound, I was on the front doing the same trick over and over and over and over again. I realized that I didn't need a full hour long show because the audience changed ever 30 second. I got really good at the dancing cane and the linking rings.

Right behind me was a top hat which had a rabbit pop out (the first year) and one of the staff from the station in a Yogi Bear costume in the hat (year two). I never got the Yogi idea but, hey, it was a two-year gig! Driving the car pulling the trailer was Dennis Kalichuk, who went on to become a full time artist and musician. The guy in the hat, and the Yogi costume, was Phil - a member of the art department at the station. The three of us had a lot of fun.

The third time was an entirely different experience. A great friend, the producer of Stage Ten and the person I worked directly with for all of my 29 years at the Western Fair, Jim McKinnon called me in the spring of 1998 asking if I'd like to be the Grand Marshall of the parade that year. I replied, "Are you sure?". "Why not someone like the Mayor?" It turned out she didn't like parades, but that's a whole other blog (she lost a highly publicised legal fight with our local Pride organization).

They wanted a human Grand Marshall this time around, instead of a costumed character and since Jim was on the organizing committee representing the television station and it's coverage of the event, he recommended me!

I was thrilled, but I knew I wasn't THAT famous so I asked for a stage to perform on as the Grand Marshall. Typically he/she just rides in a car at the start of the parade but I knew there would be a lot of people looking at me waving and asking, "Who's he?". So, they got me a flat-bed car hauler. I found a sound system that I could run off of the trucks electric and I was set. My wife and kids gave out balloons, I did magic, people waved and we had a lot of fun.

Then we approached Dundas and Richmond.

Up until sometime in the 2000's, our local TV station was a sponsor of the parade and broadcast it live and on repeat. They hosted the broadcast and did an excellent job. My friend Jim (above) was the producer of the broadcast. That's why he was on the commitee.

Having graduated with a degree in television and knowing a little about how the parade ran, I knew that their was a specific spot where the cameras would be - in this case, Dundas and Richmond. So I saved up a very visual routine that I could do specifically for the broadcast. A block before, one of their crew was holding a sign that said "BANDS PLAY NOW" to tell performers and floats that the cameras were close and they wanted a good shot. So I fired up the routine.

Immediately in front of me was the title banner announcing the 'London Jayvees 42nd Annual Santa Claus Parade followed by a band. Immediately behind me was the 'Best Corporate Float'. Remember, I'm on top of a flat-bed car carrier with signs that read 'Grand Marshall'.

I saw the cameras, knew it was time and played directly to the people at home (and the hosts sitting in front of Eaton's). It was visual as hell. I think I made it snow, but I honestly don't remember. I think the crowd applauded too. Thirty seconds later we were past the cameras and a minute after that we were done.

Then I watched the tape of the parade the next day.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the London Santa Claus Parade." "First up is the banner welcomeing you to the parade." (camera shot).

"Next we have the 'such and such band from somewhere'." (crossfade to shot - then to a long shot down the route).

"And there's our Grand Marchall, magician Peter Mennie......(crossfade to shot of the Best Corporate Float - not me!)

"......follwed by the winner of the Best Corporate Float".

I never made it to air! I was their Grand Marshall and there was one single frame of video ever captured or broadcast!!

Yep, I was there. Did that. And all I have to prove it is this lousy shirt - which doesn't fit anymore!