October 22, 2020–7:27 a.m.
STAFF REPORTS
At this time, the Rome Christmas Parade is still on for December 1.
However, it will be a scaled-down version due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parade entries will be limited to 40 instead of the usual 100-150.
Participants will also be required to wear a mask and there will be no marching bands this year.
Jerry Rucker with the Christmas Parade Committee explained why.
“We’ve got eight bands and if just one of a band’s members comes down with COVID-19, then the whole band has to be quarantined,” he said. “That would mean that band could not be there and it wouldn’t be fair to have the other seven in the parade.”
The theme for the parade is “Heroes of 2020” to honor frontline workers in the COVID-19 crisis.
Rucker stated that although the parade is still on, circumstances could change.
A final determination will be made on November 3.