DANVILLE, Va. – This year’s Christmas parade has been canceled.

The Danville Riverview Rotary will not host the annual event in  December due to concerns over coronavirus..

“We are heartbroken over this decision,” said Gary Clark, Riverview Rotary past president and parade logistics coordinator. “It certainly was not an easy one to make. However, we just feel it is the right course of action this year.”

Rotary officials made the decision after several months of conversation focused on the health and safety of not only the parade participants but the spectators as well.

“From everything we have learned about COVID-19 and with what health officials are expecting this fall, we just could not, in good conscious, host an event inviting thousands of people to gather in one place,” said Rotary President Glen McClanahan. “We deeply care for this community and would not want to be the individuals responsible for a surge in cases in our area.”

Both are encouraging all participants to enter their floats into the Community Holiday Light Show in December.

This year’s light show will be held from Dec. 9 – 25 in Ballou Park.