57th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade is Canceled
July 24, 2020
It is with regret that the Wilmington Jaycees today announced its decision to cancel the 57thAnnual Wilmington Christmas Parade, which would have been held on Saturday, November 28. The popular holiday tradition, which is supported by the City, but managed and planned over many months by the local Jaycees chapter, will not be held due to COVID 19 health concerns associated with bringing large groups of people together in proximity.
Josh Hoveln, President of the Wilmington Jaycees, said unfortunately a parade with many participants and attendees does not allow for proper social distancing. “The Jaycees wanted nothing more than to present a large holiday celebration for the community especially since we’ve all been so isolated for months, but uncertainly about the virus tells us that it’s better to make a decision now before any additional time, energy and funding is committed,” said Hoveln.
File Photo: Mayor Michael S. Purzycki waves to spectators during the Wilmington Jaycees 55th Annual Christmas Parade along Market Street Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Wilmington, Delaware. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
Mayor Mike Purzycki said while the parade is a great community-building event that helps to launch the holiday shopping season, he supports the Jaycees decision. “It’s discouraging to see this joyous tradition become another casualty of this scourge, which has already forced many unwelcome changes and difficult adjustments for all of us in recent months,” said the Mayor. “We have no indication today that large crowds will be permitted to gather in the coming months, so everyone’s health and safety outweighs all other factors. We will look forward to working together with the Wilmington Jaycees to bring the parade back for 2021.”
The Wilmington Jaycees is a community, individual, and leadership development organization for individuals ages 18-40. The Jaycees are a proactive organization whose members devote themselves to community service in the public interest, to increasing and improving the skills of the individual, and to developing people as leaders of their community. The Wilmington Jaycees have been active for over 78 years. Please visit www.wilmingtonjaycees.org [wilmingtonjaycees.org] for more information.