The Grinch has struck again: the City of North Battleford has confirmed that the formal portion of 鈥淭winkle Tour鈥� has been cancelled for this year.
The decision was made at a meeting of city council Monday to cancel the annual guided tour of the Christmas decorations and lights in North Battleford, which had been scheduled for Thursday night.
Instead, residents will still be able to do informal self-guided tours of their own with maps provided by the city. Prizes will also still be awarded.
The reason for the decision is obvious: COVID-19 restrictions.
City Manager Randy Patrick made the recommendation at council to cancel the formal tour. He explained that the province had just dropped the maximum outdoor gathering size to ten people.听
This posed a major logistical challenge in setting up the event. Normally, the Twinkle Tour attracts upwards of 400 people. But Patrick noted there are issues when those taking part in the tour would get out to take pictures at some of the more notable displays.
To handle the crowds, the city would have required a large contingent of staff 鈥渨hich we don鈥檛 have for this, we never have, to keep the crowds under control,鈥� said Patrick.
Other issues were also cited, such as people refusing to wear masks.
Had they gone ahead, the city would have needed to put a plan together to submit to public health by Wednesday for approval.
In any event, the decision was made by council to cancel the formal tour and allow it to go on as a self-guided tour for 2020. The city intends to bring it back 鈥渂igger and better next year,鈥� said Patrick.
The city has posted the following at their website听听:
鈥淭he Twinkle Tour 2020 has been听cancelled.听Prize winners will be announced Thursday, December 17th.
鈥淎 map of the tour for self-guided tours will be provided here allowing people to stay in their social bubbles and to admire the festive lights. Additionally, a YouTube video will be available here, allowing you to enjoy the Twinkle Tour from the comfort of your own home. These will be provided Thursday, December 17th.鈥�
The Twinkle Tour is not the only local winter event to be thrown into chaos due to the latest restrictions.
Plans by the city to hold a New Year鈥檚 Eve fireworks show (that was originally scheduled for Canada Day) are still up in the air after the latest gathering restrictions announcement.
The idea was that people could potentially witness the fireworks from within their vehicles. In the end, it was left to administration to confer with Saskatchewan Health Authority on whether that event could still be held safely.
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