​In 2004, the Principal of St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School at the time, Tom Durran, suggested the school enter a float in the Burlington Christmas Parade, which takes place each year on the first Sunday in December.

With the assistance of parent Josh Duijvestein, a beautiful banner for the float was created by Stephany Balogh, the school's Vice-Principal at the time, while her husband constructed a nativity for the float. That year, after spending a few hours sitting on the hard flat bed truck bottom, Josh decided that the next year there would be something soft for everyone to sit on. Hay was borrowed and he built a re-usable Nativity. Due to all of his efforts, Josh was named "Head Elf" of the St. Timothy School Christmas Parade Float, and that name stuck for the past 7 years!

Throughout the years, the families of St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School have enjoyed this tradition and the ride through downtown Burlington, while waving and singing to the crowd through snow, rain, wind, freezing temperatures, and this year, some balmy weather! Each year, on the day before the parade, families gather at the Burlington Bus Terminal to decorate the float, which has been a great community building activity.

Unfortunately, this past year was Josh’s last as "Head Elf" as his son graduates from Grade 8, but it is hoped that this tradition will continue on at St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School. It is the spirit of the St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School participants, all wearing Santa hats, that makes it a fun and great event.