By Cecilia Nasmith
The Town of Cobourg’s Community Services Division is pleased to announce alternative approaches to the Cobourg Santa Claus Parade and other winter programming activities due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and limitations on group gatherings.
During council’s Oct. 7 committee-of-the-whole meeting, the Marketing and Events Department presented an overview of the community-events schedule for 2020, with many traditional events bring cancelled. In order to ensure residents have the opportunity to participate in safe, fun and engaging activities, town staff developed virtual events that residents could enjoy while maintaining physical distancing.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Cobourg Santa Claus Parade, an event that usually brings together thousands of residents and tourists for an official welcome to the holiday season. In an effort to celebrate this long-standing tradition, the Marketing and Events Department will launch an alternative version to the Santa Claus Parade along with additional winter programming, including:
Static Floats
In place of the traditional Cobourg Santa Claus Parade, the Downtown Business Improvement Area is hosting a community competition, encouraging local businesses and community organizations to submit drawings of large free-standing floats. Submissions will be judged by a panel of community partners made up of Councillor Adam Bureau (council’s Co-ordinator of Arts, Culture and Tourism), a DBIA representative, staff from the town’s Marketing and Events department and representatives from the Cobourg Lions Club, whose dedicated volunteers have brought us the Cobourg Santa Claus Parade for the last 15 years.
The top three submissions will receive $1,000 to be put towards the production of their float. Three floats will then be placed in Downtown Cobourg where members of the public are welcome to take their photos with them to share with friends and family or on their social-media networks.
Submissions are due by Nov. 12, and can be emailed to Jackie Chapman-Davis at jchapmandavis@cobourg.ca.
Downtown Seasonal Decorations
In addition to the downtown seasonal decorative lights, the Marketing and Events department and the Cobourg DBIA will festoon King Street and the downtown corridor with even more lights and decorations. Victoria Hall will also be decorated with a holiday village display.
Home Decorating Challenge
Bringing the spirit of the holidays to each neighbourhood, the Town of Cobourg is challenging local residents to decorate their homes for the season. Residents who submit images of their homes will be entered into a draw to win a gift card to a local business of their choosing. Images of decorated homes will be used to develop a driving map that will be available on ExperienceCobourg.ca and shared on the town’s social-media pages.
Photo submissions are due by Dec. 11, and can be emailed to Jackie Chapman Davis at jchapmandavis@cobourg.ca.
Christmas Magic in Cobourg
The Town of Cobourg will continue the tradition of Christmas Magic in Victoria Park and Rotary Harbourfront Park, though it must forego the big Lighting Up ceremony due to restrictions on group gatherings in light of COVID-19.
The Town of Cobourg partners annually with the Fare Share Food Bank for this event, as it is a large food-drive opportunity. In lieu of the lighting up event, the town is making a donation this year and would encourage all of those who are able to please make a donation to the Fare Share Food Bank by visiting http://www.fareshare.ca/get-involved/donate/.
The Town of Cobourg encourages all residents to celebrate the holiday season safely while continuing to support our local businesses, charities and organizations
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
