Christmas Parade Is Canceled

Officials Ask Public To Change Holiday Celebrations

Robert Moore

Herald Staff

rmoore@harrodsburgherald.com

The downtown Christmas parade has been canceled.

In a press release, the Harrodsburg First Main Street Program announced the annual parade has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Olde Towne Park and downtown Harrodsburg will still be decorated for Christmas.

“After much discussion with the Harrodsburg First board, city and county officials and taking into account the Governor’s office and CDC recommendations, the downtown Harrodsburg Christmas parade will be canceled for 2020,” wrote Harrodsburg First Chairman Allen Goldie. “This was an extremely difficult decision which involved the opinions and advice of numerous sources.”

In the press release, Goldie said Harrodsburg First was unable to insure the safety of parade organizers, participants and attendees in a time where we are experiencing huge increases in COVID cases.  Mercer County has been in the red zone on the state’s COVID-19 map for the past two weeks, and the governor has recommended that public and private events should be rescheduled, postponed or canceled.

Goldie said decorating will begin this weekend.

“We would like to invite everyone to enjoy the festive spirit of the park and downtown,” Goldie wrote.  He asked the public to please practice social distancing and mask wearing. “We wish to take this time to wish each and everyone, a safe and Happy Holiday season.”

The pandemic has played havoc on the area’s events. While some—like the Mercer County Fair and Horse Show—were able to continue in a different format, other events—such as Oktoberfest, Pioneer Days and the Lights Over Herrington fireworks show—were canceled or postponed until next year.

As COVID-19 continues to grow exponentially across the nation, federal, state and local leaders are advising the public to change how they celebrate Thanksgiving.

It’s one of the biggest holidays of the year, with people traveling to join family and friends.

More than 55 million people travelled at least 50 miles to celebrate Thanksgiving last year, according to the American Automobile Association.

But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning the public that staying home is the best way for people to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.

Last week, Gov. Andy Beshear released guidance for celebrating Thanksgiving.

The state is advising people—especially those who are at high risk, such as seniors, immunocompromised individuals and people with medical conditions—to avoid crowded, indoor dinners and consider fun alternatives that pose lower risk of spreading COVID-19.

Lower risk activities

•Having a small dinner with only people who live in your household.

•Preparing traditional family recipes for family and neighbors, especially those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others.

•Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family.

•Shopping online rather than in person on the day after Thanksgiving or the next Monday.

•Watching sports events, parades and movies from home with only people who live in your household.

Moderate risk activities

• Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community.

• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is required, and people are able to maintain social distancing.

• Attending a small outdoor sports event with safety precautions in place.

Higher risk activities

Avoid these higher risk activities to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19:

• Going shopping in crowded stores just before, on, or after Thanksgiving.

• Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race or large sporting event.

• Attending crowded parades.

• Using drugs or alcohol in excess, which can cloud judgement and urge risky behavior.

• Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household.

For more information, visit www.kycovid19.ky.gov.