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This year's Santa Claus Parade "reboot" put smiles on the faces of spectators and participants alike after the popular holiday event took a hiatus from its usual form in 2020. Last year, due to public health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of North Bay adapted and held it as a "drive-thru" parade.
See related: Rebooting a holiday tradition...the Santa Claus parade
This year's smaller parade had 25 floats and was accompanied by warnings from the City stating, "Face coverings will be required for parade participants and spectators when physical distancing of six feet is not possible."
When asked about enforcement along the parade route, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit responded its "role focuses on the compliance of businesses. In the event of large public gatherings, it is the role of the local police services to assist in enforcing public health measures."
The North Bay Police Service had officers present at the parade to direct traffic and so they could respond should an incident occur, according to spokesperson David Woolley. "No fines were issued in relation to violations of the Reopening Ontario Act or the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act."
Event Chair Jeff Serran told BayToday the float numbers were down "but it is expected with COVID happening and we are happy that those people have come out and accepted the invitation to participate.”
The traditional handouts — candy, apples, pamphlets — were nixed for this year but a healthy crowd lined up anyway along the Chippewa Street West–Ferguson Street–Main Street West route for a glimpse at all the different floats and, of course, Jolly Saint Nick.