Flint Township View

COVID-19 surge prompts cancellation of Christmas on Main Street




DAVISON — Plans for a Christmas parade, tree lighting and downtown events have been cancelled following recent restrictions on gatherings by the state following a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Just a few weeks ago the Davison Downtown Development Authority announced it was seeking financial support from the businesses on Main Street to help pay for Christmas street lighting, activities and events during the planned festivities.

But Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement Nov. 15 of renewed restrictions on public gatherings prompted the DDA to bring its holiday plans to a halt. Those plans included a Christmas parade on Dec. 4 and activities involving Main Street businesses.

DDA Event Coordinator Jessica Abraham said that while the Christmas on Main Street event is cancelled, the DDA may try doing some virtual events like a Best Decorated Store Front. She said Santa Claus will also make an appearance on the corner of Main and Second streets on Dec. 4 so parents can bring children downtown for a drive-by to wave and say hello to him.

Abraham said the pending 2021 events are still planned, if there are no new COVID restrictions next year.

The restrictions have also caused some cancellations and changes at Davison City Hall.

City Hall remains closed to the public and the staff at city hall is rotating between working at home and in the office, said City Manager Andrea Schroeder.

She said the annual Shop with a Hero event has also been cancelled.