THUNDER BAY - The streets of Thunder Bay normally lit up with a festive parade of decorated trucks will be dark this year, as the Parade of Lights cancels its annual event due to COVID-19.
“It is very difficult,” said Greg Stephenson, chair of the Parade of Lights committee. “It’s like any other decision that’s been made during this pandemic, it’s been very difficult and we were hoping to do something, but it just can’t happen.”
The cancellation of the Parade of Lights follows other holiday traditions being called off including the annual Santa Claus Parade and the Canadian Pacific Railway Holiday Train.
Stephenson said the committee looked at other ways of possibly holding the event but its own success in past years made that impossible.
“We’re almost a victim of our own fate that we were very successful and the people of Thunder Bay support this parade in multitudes, when you see the amount of people that are there, so being able to social distance would be impossible,” he said.
The Parade of Lights, which was entering its 22nd year, is an important fundraiser for four local charities, including the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, Special Olympics Thunder Bay, the Therapeutic Riding Association, and Autism Ontario.
“The Parade of Lights is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year,” said Michelle Pintar with Autism Ontario. “It’s where we make our most donations to be able to provide the events and workshops that Autism Ontario runs. So not having the parade this year is really hurting us.”
“The athletes are all really sad and missing each other and the sports and activities. But like the rest of the world we are just on hold,” added Karen Boyd with Special Olympics Thunder Bay.
Despite the Parade of Lights being cancelled, donations will still be collected to be split between the four organizations, though Stephenson said it might be difficult to match past fundraising totals.
“A lot of the money we receive over the years has been through parade walkers,” he said. “That’s not something we will be able to do this year. We are hoping that some of the organizations that have supported us in the past, if they still have earmarked money for this particular event that they will still donate it.”
Last year, the Parade of Lights raised more than $28,000 for the four local charities. Pintar said she is hopeful that even though the actual event is not taking place the community will still reach out to offer a helping hand.
“It’s such a big event for Thunder Bay, so I think the community most likely will still support,” she said. “Everyone is in the same boat right now and we’re all there for one another.”
Information on donating can be found on the Parade of Lights Facebook page, where a link will also be posted to purchase ‘my favourite colour is Christmas lights’ clothing, with proceeds being donated to the four local charities.
