Hundreds of Ottawa residents took part in the annual and snowy Help Santa Parade of Lights on Dec. 4 for the first time in nearly two years. The 2020 parade was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Starting at Ottawa City Hall, dozens of Ottawa Fire Services firefighters, police and community members paraded along Laurier Street and Bank Street, ending just short of Lansdowne in Ottawa’s Glebe neighbourhood.
This year’s Christmas celebrations looked significantly different than previous as COVID-19 continues to impact large in-person events.
Three smaller parades were scheduled in various parts of the city but in a press release city officials and event organizers stated they were forced to reduce them to one larger parade. The decision was made in light of safety concerns after a man killed six and injured dozens when he drove his vehicle through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisc. on Nov. 21.
Featured image by Spencer Colby
