Town of Cobourg announces changes to beloved traditions
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Town of Cobourg has announced the cancellation of a number of beloved traditional winter activities in compliance with the province's COVID-19 Response Framework and local public-health guidelines.
These include the First Night New Year’s celebration, Mayor’s Community Skate and Family Day events, with the Mayor's New Year's Levee going to a virtual format.
With the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit region (including the Town of Cobourg) moving to the yellow Protect category Dec. 4, public gatherings are now limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
“We have been monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic daily, and have made the responsible decision to cancel further upcoming holiday and winter events,” Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan said in the press release.
“I appreciate our community support and those who continue to abide by provincial and local health unit guidelines to help keep our residents safe.”
The Town of Cobourg encourages residents to celebrate the holiday and winter season safely this year by participating in virtual events or outdoor activities with members of your household, offering a few suggestions.
Christmas Magic – Grab a hot chocolate from a local shop and take a stroll through Victoria Park and Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Park to experience more than 100,000 dazzling lights and displays.
Alternative Santa Claus Parade – See the winning festive parade static floats stationed in front of the Cobourg Public Library and within Victoria Park.
Home Decoration Driving Tour – Download the Home Decoration Challenge Driving Tour map at www.experiencecobourg.ca to see the beautiful holiday displays local residents have created.
Rotary Harbourfront Outdoor Rink – Lace up your skates and enjoy the rink, with a capacity limit of 25 skaters at a time. Hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, weather permitting.
Shop Local – Wear your mask, keep your physical distance and venture into the wonderful local shops to see what they have to offer.
Everyone is also invited to participate in the Mayor's Virtual New Year's Day Levee, a pre-recorded video that will be released at noon on New Year's Day on the town's YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/towncobourg). It will feature music by the Concert Band of Cobourg, a poetry reading from Poet Laureate Jessica Outram, a cry from Town Crier Mandy Robinson and Mayor Henderson speaking to the highlights of 2020 (despite the pandemic!).
As a special treat, the town has partnered with Baxter’s Bakery, who will be giving away 100 delicious baked goods on a first-come-first-served basis. You can sign up at www.cobourg.ca/treats.
The town echoes the province's recommendation that residents celebrate the holiday season safely by limiting interactions and gatherings to members of your immediate household only.
The town has launched a dedicated COVID-19 web page that includes program and service updates, news issued from the municipality and risk reduction advice. Updates will be posted to www.cobourg.ca/covid19 as they come in.
