Airdrie's annual Santa Claus Parade has been cancelled after new restrictions on gathering and socializing were implemented in Alberta Nov. 27.
According to Sammy Morros, co-chair of the Airdrie Parade Committee, calling off the popular parade was inevitable based on the recommendation of health authorities and the implementation of new restrictions.
“The restrictions were the final nail in our coffin,” she said. “We just really didn’t feel we would be able to do crowd control in a way we would be confident.”
A statement released on airdrieparades.ca said Alberta Health Services (AHS) recommended the parade not go ahead.
“Though our committee worked hard trying to find a parade alternative that would suit public health recommendations, it was strongly recommended by health authorities that we not proceed with in-person events at this time,” the statement said.
Morros said in a normal year, between 5,000 to 10,000 Airdronians would gather along Main Street for the parade. With new public health measures limiting outdoor gatherings and restricting social gatherings, she said it became difficult to find a way to ensure the parade could run safely.
“We are definitely disappointed, but it is what it is,” she said. “It is more important to be careful and cautious. We are looking ahead to next year and hoping we can plan some fun events.”
The cancellation comes after the Airdrie Parade Committee had to cancel and modify its other annual event earlier this year – the Canada Day Parade. As an alternative, the committee hosted the Canada Day Home Decorating Contest, which encouraged residents to garnish their households in red and white, as well as national-themed décor, for a chance to win prizes.
Morros said the committee is planning to do something similar with the Santa Claus Parade, moving it to an online contest format so residents will still have a virtual celebration to kick off the holiday season.
The online contest will follow a 12 days of Christmas format, with a different theme set for each day, Morros said. For example, on the fourth day of the contest, people will be encouraged to take a picture of a snowman and share it on social media. Anyone who participates in the given day’s theme will be entered to win prizes.
The event will start Dec. 7 and run until Dec. 19. For more information, visit airdrieparades.ca.
“We are trying to encourage something similar to what happened with Canada Day,” she said.
The Santa Claus Parade has taken place since 2002. The parade was the brainchild of Al Jones; Lorna Hunt, former Executive Director of the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce; and Janet Meagher, owner of Lavish Gypsy.
Before the inception of the parade, Jones said, the Airdrie Fire Department held an annual event where fire engines transported Santa Claus around the community to deliver candy canes to local children. A fire on Christmas Eve 2001 brought that event to an end. Jones and company created the Santa Claus parade the following year.
Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz
