At literally the eleventh hour, the Executive Director of the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association says the 2021 Santa Claus Parade was saved.

Carl DeSantis tells NL News that public health restrictions led to some confusion between what he was hearing from the Ministry of Health as well as Interior Health.

He says was cleared last Thursday morning, Nov. 4, thanks in parts to the efforts of Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone who “worked some magic in Victoria.”

“I got the news about 40 minutes after talking to Todd. It was 20 minutes before we had a parade committee meeting and the only agenda item was delivering the bad news that the parade was going to be cancelled,” he said. “It couldn’t have been a better message so everybody logged in and I was able to share the good news.”

On Nov. 2, Interior Health told NL News that the health authority’s ‘Gathering and Events Order’ requires that organizers of any outdoor event with more than 100 people have to check for proof of vaccination. They would also have to cap the crowds at 50 per cent of capacity or 5,000 people, whichever is greater.

However, on Oct. 29, the Ministry of Health told NL News that parades are considered to be similar to a fair, festival or trade show, meaning it can return to normal operations.

“Given that parades are often in an outdoor setting with lots of flow and no capacity limit, these types of events would be considered to be held similarly to a fair, festival or trade show which allows them to return to normal operations with a communicable disease plan in place,” spokesperson Thomas Hunt said, in an email.

As of publishing, Interior Health’s list of restrictions only say outdoor organized events can have a capacity of 5,000 people or 50 per cent of a venue’s capacity, whichever is greater. Organizers are also not required to check for proof of vaccination.

“When Interior Health was first approached regarding the Santa Claus parade it was treated as an outdoor seated event, which triggers our capacity restrictions,” Interior Health said in a statement to NL News on Nov. 9, when asked about the sudden change in the restrictions.

“After consulting with the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Officer, it was determined that the parade should be treated as an outdoor flow through event, which does not have capacity restrictions and does not require proof of vaccination.”

Organizers of the parade will still be required to have a COVID safety plan in place, IH says. They’re also being urged to “consider appropriate safety measures” like proper spacing of people, the use of masks, and telling people to stay home if they are not well.

Difference in messaging “likely a misunderstanding”: Dr. Henry says

Asked about the difference in messaging from the two health authorities on Nov. 4, B.C.’s top doctor says it was likely “a misunderstanding.”

Dr. Bonnie Henry says outdoor events like a Santa Claus Parade are low risk as people are able to stay apart.

“Though I will say to people ‘be aware’ because older people particularly, we need to make sure that it is safe for them and it may be good for many people to be able to do this remotely this year rather than getting together in larger groups,” she said.

“Interior Health and my colleagues in Interior Health are the people who have the local jurisdiction. I think there was in that some, and I’ve had some conversations with my colleagues, I think there was a misunderstanding. I think outdoor events like that are very low risk and we encourage them.”

Lots of work to be done now with parade three weeks away: DeSantis

Now that he has the health authorities on side, DeSantis says there is a lot of work that needs to be done in the next three weeks, with the parade set for Sunday, Nov. 28.

“We have already got over 40 applicants to participate in the parade. This is parade floats, marching bands, things like that,” he said. “And of course, one application from a guy who wears red and wears a beard. That guy. He’s applied too, and I’ll probably put him at the end.”

As for what people can expect to see if they come to this year’s parade?

“It is going to be what we normally see but with COVID protocols. When you come downtown, it is going to be chilly, but hey, its the end of November, so let us capitalize on that and use your masks to keep warm,” DeSantis added.

“And you know, all of the viewers, their families, let us have some distancing and it will be fun for everybody and we’re going to create those memories.”

Instead of what would have been the 40th annual Santa Claus Parade last year, downtown Kamloops was home to a month-long Storybook Village along Victoria Street.

“Downtown Kamloops will be releasing further details as we get closer to the parade, but rest assured, we are going ahead,” DeSantis said.