THUNDER BAY – Santa Claus isn’t coming to town after all.
Well, at least not before Christmas Eve.
Though given approval by the City of Thunder Bay to proceed under new provincial guidelines, the organizers of the annual Santa Claus Parade on Monday confirmed it will not proceed in 2021, but promised it will be back in 2022.
It’s the second straight year the parade has been put on hiatus due to COVID-19. Last year’s was cancelled because of gathering restrictions.
“The area Rotary Clubs hoped to host a Parade this year but approval to proceed came very recently and too late for the Clubs to organize the event, assemble funds to cover all costs, and give fair notice to those creating floats and recruiting volunteers for the parade,” said Dan Brown, Nipigon Rotary Club member and the assistant district governor for Canadian Clubs in Rotary District 5580.
Brown said the Rotary Clubs and their members are disappointed at the cancellation, but it just wasn’t feasible.
“Rotarians are determined to host the Parade in 2022 and will begin planning early in the new year so that all of the pieces are in place for the invitation to go out in August for businesses and groups to start work on their floats,” Brown said.
