Light Up Cornelius will happen this year but details are fluid. Photo courtesy of Town of Cornelis PARC
Oct. 26. You’ve heard it before: Events will look different this year.
Light Up Cornelius is likely to morph to a three-day event as PARC staff are trying to determine how to hold a tree lighting ceremony as well as bring in Santa and accommodate enough guests, says Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture (PARC) Director Troy Fitzsimmons.
PARC staff is working on a final schedule for November and December. Santa Paws and Light Up Cornelius are included at this point.
“Given the ever changing landscape with the pandemic and phased reopening, we are planning these events under the assumption that NC will remain in Phase 3 recovery,” Fitzsimmons said. “There are many details to flesh out, but safe to say that these events will be vastly different than in years past in order to be in compliance with current health guidelines.”
Limits on attendance
Attendance at Santa Paws and Light up Cornelius events will require advance registration to keep gathering limits within pandemic guidelines.
Santa Paws, usually held in November, is shaping up as a Dec. 6 event from 2 pm – 4 pm. The location is still to be determined. “Again with health guidelines in place, we are trying to determine the best format, but a photo op with Santa is top on the list,” Fitzsimmons said.”
PARC staff is looking at a three-day Light Up Cornelius event “as we have to cap participation to 100 in order to comply with the outdoor mass gathering limit,” Fitzsimmons said. The event would take place Nov 27, 28 and 29 from 4:30 to 6:30 nightly.
“With Light Up Cornelius pushing close to 2,000 over the past few years, we are trying to determine how to provide a tree lighting ceremony as well as bring in Santa and accommodate enough guests,” Fitzsimmons said. “As of now, we are focusing on the main attractions of the event, which are Santa, tree lighting and holiday music.”
There will also be a few concessionaires, but it will be very limited compared to years past, he said.
More information on each event will be coming out over the next few weeks.
Community Thanksgiving
Meanwhile, the community Thanksgiving church service has been canceled.
