Residents of Tecumseh will have multiple chances to feel the holiday spirit this season.
With the cancellation of the annual Tecumseh Santa Claus Parade and Christmas in Tecumseh events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the town's parks and recreation department created a schedule of holiday-themed activities stretched over three weeks.
"We still wanted to help our residents get in the spirit of the holidays," said Mayor Gary McNamara. "Our recreation department has planned a number of activities that residents can enjoy while following public health guidelines."
The activities consist of a mix of virtual, in-person, and independent events. Physical distancing guidelines will be observed, and participants will be expected to wear face coverings for in-person events.
A virtual visit from the jolly old elf will be the highlight this Friday and Saturday, as well as November 27 and 28, as Santa Claus will hold ten-minute individual visits live from the North Pole. Families can register for the chats in advance at the official Tecumseh Parks and Recreation website.
From December 1 to December 20, families can participate in a virtual scavenger hunt. Clues will be posted on Facebook, and residents will have a chance to win holiday prizes.
Residents can become a part of the show, as property owners will be encouraged to decorate their homes and include them on a holiday light tour, running from November 30 to December 21. Homes can be placed on a tour map at the town's website.
People can also participate in a variety of arts-and-crafts events that are scheduled intermittently between November 28 and December 13.
The complete holiday schedule of events can be found on the town's official website.
Tecumseh Town Council accepted a recommendation last month to cancel Christmas in Tecumseh and the Santa Parade, referring to concerns over the number of people attending, along with the uncertainty of any pandemic control guidelines imposed by the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. Challenges concerning the safety of volunteers, staff, and entertainers were also cited.
