Lawrence’s Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade canceled because of pandemic

photo by: Ashley Golledge

Charles Carpenter, left, drives an old-fashioned wagon during the 27th Annual Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in downtown Lawrence.

The Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade in downtown Lawrence has been canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Massachusetts Street parade featuring horses and horse-drawn conveyances has been a popular December event for the past 27 years.

“Deciding to cancel the parade this year is the right decision to promote public health and protect our participants, volunteers and spectators,” said Marty Kennedy, president of the group that puts on the parade. “But we view this as a one-year interruption and are committed to returning in 2021.”

Despite the cancellation, the parade group plans to offer alternative activities for this year and return for its 28th edition in 2021, according to a news release from the group.

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