Despite recently announcing the cancellation of the annual Santa Claus parade, the Downtown Kingston BIA says they are revisiting the decision.
The nighttime parade has been a popular fixture in the community for more than 16 years. But, the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation last year.
Last week, it appeared the parade would meet a similar fate this year.
Nevertheless, the BIA sent out an email Tuesday announcing that the province recently changed the rules relating to large outdoor gatherings.
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This decision has caused the BIA to reconsider the cancellation and see if past participants may be interested in taking part in a parade on short notice.
“On Friday, some new regulations have come out, specifically to do with parades,” says Marijo Cuerrier of Downtown Kingston. “We have reached out to about 30 of our participants from last year to see if they, first of all, want to participate based on the way that COVID is currently, and secondly, whether they would be able to pull together their floats or whatever they’re doing in this short amount of time.”
“They’ll be so many amazing things to do this winter for people,” says Cuerrier. “If we can add a top-notch Santa Claus parade, even if it’s scaled down, we certainly will do our best to. But certainly, if it’s not going to be great then we’ll skip it and we’ll use our efforts in other areas.”
If the parade goes ahead, it will take place Saturday, Nov. 20.
This will depend on the feedback received from parade stakeholders.
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