Many people living in Niagara-on-the-Lake have participated in the Santa Claus parade every year in some way or another.

It just seemed like one of those stories that in essence never really changed.

The Christmas parade was a constant. It was always there and felt like it always would be.

But this year, it’s cancelled. It’s hard to believe.

The point is, it is another firm measurement of how much things have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s a reminder to be thankful for what we have, embrace change, savour the good times and make the best of the bad.

Regarding the Christmas parade, perhaps there’s another solution.

In Niagara Falls, they’re planning a stationary parade, so people can drive through instead of watch the parade drive by.

It’s interesting and could be a fun, safe way to keep the parade going.

Or as the lord mayor said, we could simply replay last year’s parade.

It won’t be quite the same, but if it’s broadcast live on the town’s YouTube channel it could be a fun way to engage residents stuck at home.

Whatever happens, we'll need to adapt it to the times.

Our town was quick to adapt this summer, helping restaurants open patios and speeding up the process to get it done quickly.

Back then we thought maybe this pandemic would be over before Christmas. Maybe, just maybe, we would be back to some semblance of normalcy.

Back then it was a temporary measure.

But now we’re headed into late October and things have only gotten worse in some areas.

No one really knows what to expect.

Perhaps we should be considering permanently keeping some of the changes we’ve made, as the world is a new place and it's going to take a while for businesses to get back on their feet.

How much harm could it cause to allow the Sandtrap Pub & Grill to keep its patio, one the community rallied together to build?

And in turn, the patios on Queen Street look great. And there are still some parking spots that haven’t even been tapped into along the side streets the town can put metres at to offset the loss of parking revenues.

The solution might not be clear, but working together, moving forward and not looking back will help us build a stronger future.