One week before the Santa Claus parade, a ladies shopping event held at the seniors centre raised $900 for Christmas event in Maple Ridge.

"We are beyond happy with the support and success from the public at the Ladies Shopping Fundraiser this past Saturday," said Shawna Solomon, who organized the event.

The fundraiser follows on the heels of the $1,000 raised at a concert in mid-November.

It costs about $10,000 to put on the Santa Claus Parade and Christmas in the Park, and these fundraisers help pay for the events. Last year, between 10,000 and 12,000 people came out to the free parade which runs along 224th Street.

The festivities start at 4 p.m. in Memorial Peace Park with Santa posing for pictures in his yurt and the lighting of the peace tree at 6 p.m. The parade starts immediately after the tree lighting.

Parade watchers are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the Friends In Need Food Bank as well as cash. The parade serves as one of the big fundraisers for the local food bank.

The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Christmas Hamper Society collects new, unwrapped toys in its tent in the park.

mrantanen@mrtimes.com