CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Not even the COVID-19 pandemic can stop Santa Claus.
The City of Charlottetown is moving forward with plans for a Christmas parade, although it will be a modified version of the normal event due to public health restrictions.
Laurel Lea, tourism officer with the city, said this year’s parade will be a roving event that will wind its way through all seven of the city’s neighbourhoods over the course of five evenings between Nov. 30 and Dec. 4.
“Santa Claus is still coming to town. He has tested negative several times, so we’re confident that he will be able to make an appearance in Charlottetown," Lea said.
Coun. Julie McCabe, chairwoman of the council’s standing committee on economic development, tourism and event management, said staff with the tourism and event management team have been in talks with the Chief Public Health Office for the past few weeks to find a path forward. Due to current public health restrictions, the traditional parade was not possible.
Lea said they looked at what other municipalities were doing and ultimately landed on holding a roving parade.
It will involve a convoy of vehicles, including a Charlottetown Police Services vehicle, a fire truck from the Charlottetown Fire Department, a float with the city’s mascot, Charlie Town, on board and Santa being hauled by his reindeer.
“We’ll be travelling throughout the city with festive music. Residents are encouraged to welcome Santa to town from their residences (and), if possible, to avoid (large) gatherings. We’re hoping to spread some festive cheer and get people feeling the spirit of the season."
McCabe said details of the exact routes will be released by Nov. 20, the traditional kickoff for the city’s Wintertide Holiday Festival.
Lea said they are making an effort to hit as many streets in the city as possible. The one challenge will be that Santa’s float, which will be on a flatbed, will be too large to navigate some of the smaller streets.
Since the parade won’t hit every street, in an effort to make the event a bit more accessible, Lea said they will attempt to drive past areas with large parking lots, such as schools and possibly even parts of University Avenue where people can sit in their cars and still physically distanced.
Due to public health guidelines, there won’t be any of the traditional entries that would involve people standing together on a float or walking alongside of it. And no candy canes can be handed out.
In addition, the parade will not involve any road closures. There will be a lead vehicle to let traffic know the parade is starting and a trailing vehicle at the parade’s end.
Each parade will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Dave Stewart is The Guardian's municipal reporter.
