Brampton planning more in-person outdoor events as Province announces lifting of restrictions
Published October 28, 2021 at 11:36 am
The Province has announced it is lifting restrictions for large-scale outdoor events, which will allow for in-person events and activities over the next few weeks.
Previously, outdoor events were capped at 100 people, effectively making events, such as the Brampton Santa Claus Parade, which will not be happening this year, impossible.
However, as of Wednesday (October 27), there will be no capacity limits for outdoor, organized events provided attendees follow protocols, including wearing masks and practicing physical distancing.
Additionally, proof of vaccination will be required for outdoor events with crowds of 20,000 people.
On Wednesday, Mayor Patrick Brown expressed frustration that capacity limits were still in effect, which made it difficult and in some cases impossible to put on City-organized activities and events.
“The fact that we said by getting vaccinated will help us get back to normal, but we still don’t have some of these civic events heppening, ones that the City organizes, for me, is not good enough,” he said. “If you can have 20,000 people indoors at a Maple Leafs or Raptors game, there’s no reason we can’t have these family-oriented civic events again.”
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While there won’t be a Santa Claus parade this year in Brampton, the City will still be having some Halloween events, including a pumpkin carving contest and costume contest this Friday (October 29) downtown, as well as the annual Great Pumpkin Party on November 1 in Ken Whillans Square.
Further, the City will also be hosting an in-person Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 in front of City Hall.
“I want to see our community be able to gather again, given the fact that we have respected the health protocols, gotten vaccinated, and made incredible progress in the fight against COVID-19,” Brown said.
Moreover, the City intends to have more in-person events, including the Winter Lights Festival, in the coming weeks now that restrictions have lifted.
“I want to let residents know that their sacrifice has made a difference, that we’ve made remarkable progress against COVID-19, and we’re now in a position where I feel the City can safely have outdoor events again,” Brown said. “Which is because of our residents, who took this pandemic so seriously.”
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