GREENFIELD — After cancellation of the Riley Festival for the first time in half a century, the traditional Christmas Parade of Lights in Greenfield has also been called off, the Riley Festival board confirmed Thursday, Nov. 19.
With cases of the novel coronavirus continuing to spike in Hancock County, the parade is the latest casualty of cancellations that have gutted the schedule of community events since the spring.
“While we hate to make such a heartbreaking decision yet again this year, it’s in the best interest of health and safety not to promote such a large group,” Riley Festival board member Anita Turner said.
The Parade of Lights, which is run by the Riley Festival Association, was set to take place on Dec. 5. Turner said the board decided, after consulting with the Hancock County Health Department, that holding the traditional parade would likely lead to a large crowd in downtown Greenfield that could spread COVID-19.
A public display of Christmas lights has already gone up at the Hancock County Courthouse plaza, the traditional focal point of the city’s Christmas celebration. While there will be no ceremonial tree-lighting ceremony this year, Greenfield Mayor Chuck Fewell and street commissioner Tyler Rankins will still do the honors on Dec. 5.
Details regarding any potential appearances of Santa Claus on the plaza have not yet been finalized, the mayor’s assistant, Chuck Anderson, said in an email.
A contest offered by the festival association for the best window display among businesses in downtown Greenfield will go forward. Turner said the festival association will also be promoting the Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Shop Local campaign. She encouraged residents to support local businesses, many of which have been hit hard by COVID-19 and its associated economic downturn.
For now, other communities in Hancock County still intend to hold public holiday events, including Fortville’s Winterfest and Shirley’s Christmas Walk.