A 'Sharpe' way to celebrate Christmas
Santa is coming to town in the inaugural Inuvik Santa Claus Parade
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, December 11, 2014
INUVIK
At first glance, Vince Sharpe might seem an unlikely candidate to play Santa.
Vince Sharpe is full of Christmas cheer Dec. 2 as he gets set for the Inuvik Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 14. He and some employees were busy working on a log cabin for a float. The upcoming parade may be the first of its kind in Inuvik, or is at least the first in many years. Sharp has requisitioned a live reindeer from Lloyd Binder's herd to pull Santa's sleigh. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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The gruff exterior, though, carefully conceals the warm heart of a cuddly teddy bear.
That's why Sharpe is one of the movers and shakers behind the inaugural Inuvik Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 14.
It's a bit unclear why it's been so long since Inuvik hosted a Christmas holiday parade, but that doesn't really matter to Sharpe.
He's intent on making it the best it can be and unique as well.
Sharpe smiled widely when a reporter called out "Santa" to him to kick off the interview, then aimed a mock slap in that direction.
The contractor and some of his helpers were busy constructing a log cabin float during the brief afternoon daylight hours.
Despite a brief discussion of elf suits for the workers, the reception was more than a little frosty to that idea.
"Hey now," one of the crew said.
There wasn't any more enthusiasm about singing carols as they worked, either, except for a modified version of the theme from How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
"You're a mean one, Mr. Vince," caused a huge gust of laughter.
"They say that all the time," Sharpe answered with another smile.
Live reindeer recruited
The float, once constructed, was to be torn down and rebuilt on a trailer.
It will feature a real fire and Sharpe has already requisitioned a live reindeer from Lloyd Binder's herd to pull Santa's sleigh in the parade.
"Where else are you going to see that?" he asked with some pride.
Canadian North is donating a prize of a flight to Edmonton, while Gwich'in Helicopters is donating two sight-seeing trips as prizes during the parade.
Sharpe is still recruiting for the donations of other door prizes.
So far, several entries have been received from the Inuvik Fire Department, Northwind Industries, the Inuvik Youth Centre and others.
