The annual Rotary Christmas Parade last rolled through downtown Chilliwack on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. The parade has since been cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 and in 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Pandemic puts the kibosh on 2021 Christmas parade in Chilliwack

'We do look forward to when we can once again bring together our community,' parade co-ordinator says

The 2021 Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade is once again cancelled due to pandemic safety concerns.

“Our Rotary Christmas Parade is a beloved, long-standing, Chilliwack tradition and we had been looking forward to bringing the Christmas Festivities to our downtown core again this year,” said Natalie Spencer, co-ordinator of the Rotary Christmas Parade.

“Sadly, given the uncertainty of the pandemic, financial concerns for our sponsors, and, most importantly, the health and safety of all our float entries, volunteers, and citizens, we had to make the decision to cancel the 2021 Chilliwack Rotary Christmas Parade,” Spencer said in a statement Sept. 21.

Last year organizers put together a one-hour virtual show of music, skits and performances in place of the hugely popular parade that would normally have attracted thousands to the downtown core every year.

“We do look forward to when we can once again bring together our community and remain optimistic that the 2022 Christmas Parade will be a joyous, exciting event for all,” Spencer said.

Organizers thanked the City of Chilliwack, Chilliwack Rotary Clubs, sponsors and volunteers for continued support of the parade.

RELATED: Christmas parade went virtual for 2020

RELATED: Rotary clubs take over parade organizing in 2019

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