By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND—Many local residents were disappointed to learn earlier this year that annual holiday traditions like Santa Claus parades were largely being cancelled as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
However, although larger events that draw crowds must be put on hold for the year, there are still options available for local residents to embrace the holiday spirit.
In Dunnville, many plans are in motion. The Dunnville Chamber of Commerce is working to resurrect the popular Christmas light displays along the river, which were absent in 2019.
“We have moved them to the airport hangar where there is ample room to spread out and also keeping the volunteer group smaller who are working on fixing the displays,” said Marianne Kidd, a member of the Chamber. “We have also been working with the Dunn-ville Hospital and Healthcare Foundation (DHHF) and Tim Hortons on a drive thru Santa event for the night of December 5 at the Farmers Market. We will be lighting the Tree of Hope for the DHHF and also accepting letters to Santa, plus taking food donations. This is traditionally the night of the Santa Claus Parade and Light Up Night.”
This year’s Light Up event will also be streamed live on Facebook so people can take part safely from the comfort of their homes.
“We wanted to bring a sense of normalcy to the community at Christmas, especially for the children who have been through so much this year,” said Kidd.
“This year we’ve witnessed people come together to help out our essential workers, neighbours, and small business owners. This time of year allows us to reflect on the great things our community has to offer and we want to give people something to look forward to,” continued Kidd.
In Selkirk, plans are in motion for a drive-by tractor parade, but details were not available as of press time.
Over in Jarvis, fundraising efforts are taking place for a light display contest with a cash prize. If the Jarvis Board of Trade reaches their goal of raising $5,000 they will split up the total with first prize winning $2,500, second prize netting $1,500, and third place taking home $1,000.
Local businesses that are interested in contributing to the prize can contact board members Ernie Bigelow at 905-971-5040 or Lisa Nigh at 905-981-7122 by November 15. Residents interested in participating in the contest can get more information by emailing jarvisliteup2020@hotmail.com or by visiting the Jarvis Light Up 2020 page on Facebook.
Over in Caledonia, local Santa helper Craig Peters has something special lined up.
“I’ve been playing Santa Claus for 30 years at different events. I started working in Caledonia and running the Santa Claus parade three years ago,” said Peters. “Knowing that this year was going to be different as we found out that we weren’t going to have a parade, the Christmas in Caledonia committee knew that we had to come up with something a little bit different.”
The idea they have settled on is a local drive-by Santa experience. Although the Santa parade may be cancelled, the plan is to bring Santa directly into the neighbourhoods and subdivisions of Caledonia, as well as neighbouring communities.
“We’re going to drive the streets of Caledonia, Cayuga, Hagersville, and any other areas in Haldimand that are needed. We will have routes set up for each community where we will try to hit most streets,” explained Peters. “People will be able to be safe and socially distanced so we can provide a safe opportunity so Santa can come to town and keep the Christmas spirit alive.”
Santa will be riding on a float sponsored by the Caledonia Christmas committee with the Caledonia Community Foundation donating festive decorations to be used in the display.
“We realized we had to come up with something different. Talking with a group of people in town … we had to make sure we did something that would be safe for everybody,” said Peters. “We’ll have a fire truck in front, music playing, and Santa will have a microphone so he can talk to families from the sleigh.”
The festivities will kick off in Caledonia with a Light Up Night on November 26 at Kinsmen Park, after which the Santa drive-by experience will begin. It is scheduled to take place over multiple days through the different townships of Haldimand with tentative dates of December 4 in Cayuga, December 11 in Hagersville, December 19 in Townsend, and with a date for Fisherville to be announced.
2020 has been a rollercoaster of a year with our community having to accept the limitations of life during a pandemic. Thanks to the efforts of people organizing events like those discussed previously, the Christmas spirit is sure to be alive and well this year in Haldimand County.
“With 2020 being the year that is has been, it’s really important that we try and keep things as normal as possible and make sure that families can enjoy the holidays and that the kids know they have not been forgotten,” summed up Peters.
