Cochrane cancels Santa Claus Parade

Cochrane Light Up has been forced to turn the lights out on the town’s Santa Claus Parade this weekend.

The organization said there were too few volunteers this year and, despite efforts to encourage other community members to give their time, their pleas for help were unanswered.

“We know there are children being disappointed. We’re being disappointed. There are floats that were really excited … so yeah, it was a very, very hard decision to make,” said Stephenie Shelstad, chair of Cochrane Light Up.

“The board is only as good as its volunteers. We can make all the plans in the world, but if we don’t have the people who can pull through and make the plans happen, it just won’t happen.”

Shelstad said only two of the necessary 16 volunteers had signed up to help with Saturday’s parade.

During last year’s parade, the threat of cancellation loomed but Christmas cheer spread to the streets after Cochrane Light Up stepped up to take over the event after the parade organizer stepped down.

Despite the disappointment in cancelling this year’s festivities, Shelstad said they are determined to come back next year.

“We’ve had a lot of people come forward since cancelling the parade saying they’d like to be involved next year so we’re looking at having a bigger, stronger crew and making this parade happen,” she said.

The decision comes just weeks after Edmonton was forced to do the same after a lack of interest, and time, from the local business community.

Those seeking a Santa sighting can head to Airdrie on Saturday where that city’s parade will kick off on Main Street at 4:30 p.m.