The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association is exploring creating a themed, drive and walk-through holiday display this year in place of their annual Santa Claus parade.
“Santa Claus is still coming to town but we’re going to do this differently,” Executive Director Carl DeSantis told NL News. “Residents, locals and visitors could at their leisure drive or walk through downtown and experience the displays that we have throughout the core.”
“We’re talking about introducing a story-book kind of village where a different block would have a different theme.”
This year would have been the 40th anniversary of the Kamloops Santa Claus parade – but COVID-19 is playing the role of Grinch. But DeSantis says his elves are working on something else for 2020.
“Imagine if you will parade decorations displayed on storefronts of downtown businesses,” he said. “The lights, the ornaments, characters, music and window paint could be set up on businesses in the store fronts and windows throughout the downtown core.”
The displays, he adds, could also be up for a few weeks rather than a one time thing like the parade.
“We’re working with the business community right now, we’re working with sponsors, and we’re working with past parade participants hoping to get this off the ground and get it launched by the third week or so of November,” DeSantis said. “The pandemic has changed many things most of which have had negative outcomes however together we can create a positive environment, full of happiness and create these memories for our community.”
Last year’s Santa Claus Parade started at 4 p.m. instead of the usual 11 a.m. Saturday start in years past, which allowed participants to light up their floats as they made their way through the streets of downtown.