There won’t be a Christmas parade in Cleveland. Not this year. Organizers canceled the parade last Saturday due to the weather. Now they say, despite their best efforts, they just can’t find a time to reschedule it.
“There were logistical issues of having access to the full route,” says White County Chamber of Commerce President Beth Truelove. She says organizers considered several alternate parade routes but even that didn’t settle all of the issues involved in trying to reschedule such a big, nighttime event.
“We have a small police force,” Truelove says and scheduling public safety is a must. “I didn’t want to ask them to not do Shop with a Cop for the parade.” (Shop with a Cop is an annual event where police officers shop for Christmas presents with children in need)
Tough call
The highly anticipated parade was scheduled for the night of December 1 but was canceled hours beforehand due to rain and the threat of lightning.
It was not an easy call.
Organizers consulted with Cleveland Police Chief John Foster before deciding what to do. “I promise there is a hole in the sidewalk on the Square from him (Foster) pacing back and forth worrying about this decision,” Truelove says.
It turned out to be the right call. Heavy rain drenched downtown Cleveland and lightning struck during the time the parade would have been happening.
In the end, public safety won out. But all is not lost.
The White County Chamber Board of Directors is returning registration fees to all parade entries. The City of Helen has invited those entries to join their parade on Saturday, December 8 at 2 p.m., free of charge!
Truelove understands not having the parade in Cleveland is a letdown for many, but none more so than the troop of volunteers who worked so hard on it.
“It’s a terrible turn of events,” she says. “It truly is a labor of love for our volunteers, not just Chamber volunteers but we have support from the entire community. There are a lot of hands that go into making sure people have a safe and enjoyable time.”
After successfully keeping everyone safe this year, organizers are hoping for an enjoyable parade next year.
Photo: Courtesy of WRWH Radio
