COVID-19 may have led to the cancellation of numerous events in Yorkton this year, but one that will go forward, albeit in a different fashion is the Santa Claus Parade.
Friday, the Yorkton Business Improvement District held a press conference to confirm the 23rd edition of the parade would go forward.
Parade Marshall Andrew Rae said the decision was up in the air for a long time with the pandemic being a concern.
“The parade has always been about safety,” he said.
But at the same time Rae said the parade “felt it was an essential service” that needed to be continued for the community.
So the decision was made to go forward, but in different fashion, this year it will be what is termed a ‘reverse parade’.
A reverse parade has the floats stationary, with people driving by to look at them.
Rae said people are urged to limit the people in a vehicle to a family unit, but added “if individuals don’t have access to a vehicle,” the City of Yorkton will be providing a public transit option, under their current policies regarding seating, and having riders wear masks.
While different, Rae said the reverse parade does provide “a lot of different opportunities to engage the community.”
The community involvement includes the Boys and Girls Club coming on board to prepare goodie bags for each vehicle with products from Legacy Co-op and the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce.
Those taking in the parade will have an opportunity to donate a non-perishable food item to the food bank, or make a donation to the ‘Save the Grandstand’ project and/or the Salvation Army.
Those driving by will also have the chance to vote on the best commercial, best non-commercial, and best lit floats, said Rae.
The Reverse Parade will be held at the Gallagher Centre parking lot, with people coming in off Bradbrooke Drive N., and exiting at the lights at the main entrance.
The parade will be held Saturday, Nov 28, starting at 5 p.m.
