The Annual Santa Claus Parade in downtown Peoria won't be stopped by the pandemic, but it probably will look very different than the previous 132 celebrations.
Susie Stockman, co-chair of the 133rd Annual Santa Claus Parade hosted by Peoria Area Community Events, said organizers are still working out the details, but participants and spectators will have to comply with all COVID-19 restrictions, including masks and social distancing during the Nov. 27 event downtown.
"We don't know how we're going to do it yet," Stockman said. "It will be televised on WMBD-TV. We are unsure yet of how many folks we will allow in. Those that will, will have to follow the restrictions. Six-foot distance on the floats and walking, and no passing out of candy."
Normally, the parade has 80 floats. Stockman said she's confident those will be safe, but she's not sure how walking units or bands will perform in this year's parade.
The Santa Claus Parade is the longest continuously-running holiday parade in the country, and Stockman said the committee is eager to have that history live on.
"We don't want to relinquish our longest continuously-running Santa parade in the nation, which is 133 years this year," she said. "So we don't want to give up that distinction."
Stockman said the details will be finalized later in the month.
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