FALL RIVER: The postponement of the inaugural Christmas on the Canal Parade of Lights has allowed organizers to evaluate their safety procedures following the tragic death of a four-year-old in Yarmouth on Nov. 24.
In the Yarmouth incident, the young girl was running alongside a float when she reportedly fell and was run over by a float.
The rescheduled Christmas on the Canal will take place on Dec. 9. It will begin at 5 p.m., the tree lighting will occur at 6:30 p.m. with the lighting at 7 p.m. It will leave the LWF Hall and end at the Fall River Plaza parking lot.
The Lions Christmas Express committee met on the night of Nov. 25 and have issued new measures for the parade.
“We have met and decided that any groups with participants under 10 years of age will have to walk with parents or Guardians,” said a release from the committee. “We really do not have many young people walking in the parade but just wanted to define the parameters of this safety issue.”
Paula Beck-MacKenzie, the chairwoman of the parade, said every young participant in the parade will receive a lit baton and they will be handed out before the parade.
She also said that floats will not be able to throw candy or items.
“If you are planning on handing something out, you must walk over to the crowds on the side of the road and not throw items, especially candy, that may entice children to run out into the parade,” said Beck-MacKenzie.