The Town of Petrolia will not be welcoming Santa with a parade this year.
For health and safety reasons, the annual procession through Petrolia's downtown has been cancelled.
Director of Facilities and Community Services Dave Menzies said they're working on other events to celebrate the holiday season.
"The Community Services Advisory Committee is working hard to develop plans for our Christmas weekend, to support downtown business and our local merchants and bring service clubs together," said Menzies. "This year obviously we just got to work on plans to provide that to the residents in a safe and somewhat socially distanced atmosphere."
Menzies said there's absolutely no doubt that even without the traditional parade through the downtown core, Santa will be making a stop in Petrolia.
"The Town of Petrolia has reached out to Santa Claus, and we can guarantee the kids of Petrolia that Santa will be coming... I don't think COVID can stop Santa Claus," he said.
In Sarnia, a "reverse" Santa Claus Parade is being considered at Lambton College.
To eliminate gatherings, stationary floats would be set up in the parking lot and members of the public would be invited to drive their own vehicles through the campus to view them. A date has not been set.