Although many restrictions on outdoor gatherings have been lifted in Ontario, organizers say the annual Relatives Santa Parade in downtown Peterborough will not take place.
Dave Commerford, president of the event, told Global News Peterborough on Sunday night about the decision made by the Kinsmen Club of Peterborough – the second year in a row the event has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 version would have been the 47th annual parade.
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“The province has lifted capacity limits for outdoor events, as long as attendees wear masks when a physical distance of two meters cannot be maintained,” he said. “We cannot control the number of people who attend our event, nor can we guarantee physical distancing and the use of masks.”
Commerford notes that the parade in recent years has drawn more than 15,000 people who line George Street to see Santa Claus and the dozens of floats as they make their way to Morrow Park.
“There are too many people for us to control during the evening parade,” he said.
Commerford notes that the Kinsmen Club is working with a couple of other groups to possibly hold a Santa Claus tour of town.
“I know this will be disappointing for many, but we want the parade to be safe for everyone, especially young people,” he said.
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Reference-globalnews.ca