With the coronavirus pandemic, many are left wondering what their Christmas season will look like. But for the city of St. Thomas, there will be some semblance of the Christmas season.
“This year has been a tough year for everyone I’d say throughout the world but in Ontario and specifically in St. Thomas Elgin County, we’ve given up a lot to fight this pandemic to keep our numbers low and we are doing quite well at doing that. But you know it’s really tough on your mental health and we’re now at another important event for our community, Christmas season, that unfortunately due to the COVID-19 is not being celebrated like it used to be,” said Jeff Yurek MPP for Elgin Middlesex London when discussing how the pandemic has impacted the St. Thomas community.
As the Christmas season approaches, Yurek explained how the St. Thomas community and officials have come together to put on, A Thrill of Hope, which is a reverse Christmas parade to try to bring some normalcy to the community.
Yurek explained that he has been working with Karen Vecchio MP for Elgin Middlesex London and Mayor of St. Thomas Joe Preston, and they have “put together a reverse Christmas parade that will be in the park this coming December so people will have an opportunity to get out to Pinafore Park and enjoy what St. Thomas and Elgin County have put together for the community to bring some sort of semblance of celebration for Christmas in the community.”
The Christmas parade will be held on December 4th, 5th, and 6th from 4-9pm in Pinafore Park for people to be able to drive through, see the floats and lights, and donate canned food.
Right now, they are working on putting together floats, and organizing the event. The St. Thomas Optimist club is assisting, there is a committee that is putting together floats, the St. Thomas police are helping with traffic flow, and the St. Thomas firefighters will be present to collect canned food goods and cash donations for the food bank.
“I am grateful that this reverse parade is come together because of the volunteers throughout St. Thomas and Elgin coming together that will have some semblance of a safe celebration of Christmas and community support, and I hope people get out and enjoy the floats and lights that will be on display at Pinafore Park,” said Yurek.
Although this event is a drive thru event and people must remain in their vehicles, Yurek explained that everyone can take part. He said that there will be shuttles that will go from downtown St. Thomas on Talbot Street through the park to enjoy the parade and back downtown. It will be a safe and fun event for all to be able to participate in.
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