The Fort Frances Community Christmas Parade is in trouble and needs your help to keep going for the foreseeable future.
Due to extenuating circumstances, longtime organizer Scott is unable to organize the event this year, and so is reaching out to try to find an organization willing to take on the planning and execution of the festive parade.
“I’m looking for someone that will commit to at least two years,” Scott said.
“It’s a matter of, ‘I have to make some choices,’ and it’s a hard choice but I have to give [the parade] up.”
Scott has been organizing the event since 2015, with one year being headed up by TD Bank. The most recent parade was modified to be a drive-by “Santa in the Window” event due to the continuing impacts of COVID restrictions on public gatherings, but easing restrictions this year should allow for a more traditional version of the Christmas parade.
Scott said he’s looking for an organization or collection of people to step up and take over as opposed to a single individual or pair, as he says the work that goes into getting each parade up and running is a significant commitment that could prove overwhelming.
“It has to be a bonafide group of some sort, it can’t just be Joe and Mrs. Shmoe,” he said.
“It’s a big commitment. If you have four or five people then it wouldn’t be anywhere near as much as it has been for me, but I basically put in 20 to 30 hours a week for at least five weeks myself.”
With the fact that a Christmas parade usually takes place before Christmas, the clock is already ticking for any group interested in taking on the organization of the parade this year, but Scott noted that as much work as it can be, it is all worthwhile in the end.
“It’s very fulfilling, very fulfilling,” Scott said.
“I hate giving it up but I have no choice. I’m willing to help anybody and do what I can as far as helping, but I can’t be the lead on it.”
Any organization or group wanting to help get the Christmas Parade up and running this year can call Scott at 276-0800.
