The 2021 Owensboro Christmas Parade has been cancelled, with officials citing rising costs combined with a big dip in revenue and fewer volunteers. The parade committee made up of volunteers, not the City of Owensboro, is in charge of the event.
The Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade Association made the announcement via Facebook Wednesday morning.
“Last evening, the parade committee met to review the plans for this year’s event and after much thought and consideration, we have decide to cancel the 2021 Christmas Parade event,” the post reads. “To be transparent, our expenses, of which we must raise every dollar ourselves, have increased some 25-30%, our expected revenue is down some 80+%, the number of volunteers has fallen to just a handful of people who will guarantee their assistance on parade day, and public support has been vocally against the planned event.”
Officials said an “enormous” amount of work and planning goes into an event like the annual Christmas Parade.
“Following a tradition of more than 84 years, a small group of volunteers work diligently behind the scenes all year long to prepare and execute the annual parade,” the post reads. “With no direct funding from any source other than sponsors, parade entries, and vendors, the parade committee creates the most wonderful experience possible for Owensboro and Daviess County residents and do so simply because we feel our beautiful city should pause for a few hours every Saturday before Thanksgiving and come together to prepare ourselves for the wonder of Christmas.”
In October, the committee announce the parade was returning after being cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic. Officials said this year’s event would be a “reverse parade” — with floats as static displays, and spectators moving west to east through the parade route.
“The committee discussed every option possible but we simply cannot host an event that would not honor the legacy of those that have gone before us,” the post reads.
Those that have made parade entries are being contacted by the parade committee to discuss options.
After the holidays, the parade committee will begin meeting to make plans for the 2022 Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade, with a planned return to the normal format.
