CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The chairman of the Gold Cup Parade says it’s one of the hardest decisions he has ever been a part of.
Ray Murphy delivered the news on Friday that, for the first time since it began in 1962, the event that winds its way through downtown Charlottetown in August has been cancelled this year due to public health concerns and measures in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19 strain).
“It weighed heavily on us to make the decision,’’ Murphy said, referring to the volunteer parade committee.
While the traditional street parade won’t take place next month, the committee is working with Eastlink Community TV on broadcasting a one-hour parade special called The Gold Cup Parade:
A Look Back. It will air at 11 a.m. on what would have been parade day, Friday, Aug. 21, and will feature highlights of previous parades.
Murphy said making the official announcement about a month before the parade was scheduled was in order to have an alternative plan ready to go in case they had to pull the plug. It this case, that plan is the one-hour retrospective.
The parade chairman said it goes without saying everyone wanted to go ahead with the parade but, at the end of the day, they had to go with the recommendation from Health P.E.I.
“We were certainly in touch with the department who just felt it wasn’t in the best interests (of everyone), so you listen to the experts and they’ve certainly guided us well to this point.’’
The decision didn’t surprise Allison Coles, a member of the Grand Lodge of P.E.I. (Island Shrine Club), who has participated in most of the parades. The club is a staple of the parade where members circle each other on tiny motorized bikes along the parade route.
“It was something we looked forward to every year … playing tricks on people, having a few laughs,’’ said Coles, who didn’t drive one of those bikes but did play the drums on the Shriners’ float.
“We had a good time at it, but I’m not surprised it has been cancelled.’’
Charlottetown Coun. Kevin Ramsay, chairman of the economic development, tourism and event management committee, said cancelling this year’s edition of the parade was the right call.
“It draws thousands of spectators. With the limited close contact and the large crowds, it was just too much of a risk,’’ Ramsay said.
The city councillor said the parade holds a special place in his heart. It was something his family attended every year, and his granddaughters have been in the parade these past few years with their soccer and softball clubs.
“It’s a big loss for everybody, (but) our number one priority is our health and safety. We’re hoping next year everything is back to a decent normal and we’ll appreciate things that much more.’’
