The Mount Forest Lions Club have organized the Santa Claus parade since 1938, and they aren’t letting the pandemic get in the way of them continuing with the event this year.
Emma Jeffries, Santa Claus parade chair says because of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in the area, they’ve decided to do a stationary drive through style parade at the old arena fairgrounds.
“Floats will line-up on one side of the track, probably the outside because then [there will] be more room for floats, and vehicles will then drive down clockwise around the arena, and drive by look at the floats, [and people can] wave to Santa,” Jeffries said.
Jeffries says this way there will be no people gathering, or crowds, and no one needs to worry about social distancing.
“The only downfall is, is we’re saying no to walkers, so you must be in a vehicle in order to attend. Because then again, we don’t want people congregating, chatting, [and] any lineups,” she said.
Jeffries says she’s currently in the process of contacting floats from last year’s parade.
“[…] I don’t think we’ll have enough room for hundreds of floats on the track, but you know, if we could get fifty out, that would be cool,” Jeffries said. “Santa will obviously be there, [and] we’ll have a bunch of Lions Club members there, who will be smiling under their masks.”
Jeffries says that more information about the parade can be found on the Lions Club Facebook page, under events.
The Facebook page says they will be live streaming a tour around the track so those at home can enjoy as well.
The Santa Claus parade will happen on December 4th at 7 p.m.
Emma Jeffries, Mount Forest Santa Claus parade chair: