Updated: Sun Nov. 16 2008 2:09:35 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

They didn't pout and they didn't cry. Instead, thousands of children waited patiently for Saint Nick to come to town for the 104th annual Santa Claus Parade.

Commuters might be in a less jolly mood as several roads around Toronto's downtown core are closed to make way for the parade's 24 floats, 22 bands and about 150 clowns.

Bloor Street has been closed from Christie Street to University Avenue where the parade will head south towards Queen's Park and then to Queen Street.

The 5.7-kilometre procession will then head east towards Yonge Street and then south on Yonge towards Front Street. The parade will disperse at Front and Church streets.

Toronto police say all roads should re-open to traffic by 5 p.m.

Parents were being warned to dress their children warmly for the occasion and to prepare for large crowds.

Even the weather stopped being naughty for the occasion.

Environment Canada was calling for a nice sunny day with temperatures reaching 4 C.

Santa has already been spotted in other towns across the GTA. He made an appearance in a parade in Pickering on Saturday and was also the guest of honour at a parade in Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood last weekend.

The parade was originally designed to lure people to the old Eatons department store.