Hub Staff

The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce is looking to reduce the number of Christmas parades they host each year from the traditional two parades to one, alternating between the communities of Port Elgin and Southampton.

In a delegation expected to be delivered to Saugeen Shores Council September 23, the Chamber cites the cost associated with hosting the yearly parades as well as risk and liability, demands on staff, and volunteer turnout; and says that in other communities parades are often hosted by BIAs or other nonprofit community organizations.

The Chamber is a nonprofit business association with a mandate to nurture and advocate for the business community as well as partner in economic development including tourism promotion, reads the delegation, adding that staff requirements associated with hosting the two parades include 120 daytime hours plus 12 hours of overtime at a cost of $3,000 in wages with the demand leading to "burnout, lost time with family, work-life balance."

From 2016 to 2018, the Chamber reports total revenue at $4,870 with total expenses at $7,664, resulting in a net loss of $2,794 with 2017 being the biggest loss at $1,344.

The Port Elgin route is also said to be too long of a walking distance for some volunteers and participants while Southampton crowds are close to floats in the downtown core.

Cited advantages of having one parade that alternates between the two communities include a reduced drain on staff resources, reduced volunteer fatigue, community cohesion and increased attendance with an opportunity to "enhance a unified community" and "grow a Christmas themed tourism event."

The document also suggests that a second parade could be hosted by the Town of Saugeen Shores or a community group with Chamber support and guidance.

See also: Council weighs in on alternating parade proposal

Editor's Note: The 2018 revenue and expense figures reported in the delegation are incorrect. They are believed to be reversed and the information above reflects that.  

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