Troy balances Christmas with coronavirus

With the holiday season approaching, Troy City Council mulled over Christmas celebration plans during an Oct. 22 meeting.

While they hoped to hold to as much tradition as possible, councilors acknowledged that changes would be necessary to hold the gathering amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“You’re not going to be able to put those kids on Santa’s sled, I’m sorry,” said Tracy Rebo, city clerk.

Holding games and giving away gifts and candy bags as in years past would also bring residents too close together, Rebo warned. City Councilor Chuck Ekstedt agreed that crowd sizes should be limited, citing the increase in active coronavirus cases in Lincoln County.

Instead of having children sit on Santa’s lap, Ekstedt wondered if the city could parade him through the streets with music.

City Councilor TJ Boswell suggested turning Troy’s tree lighting celebration into a drive-in event. Crystal Denton, who serves as president of the city council, proposed setting up a booth where residents could pick up a candy cane on their way to the lighting.

Adding a box where children could drop off their letters to Santa was another suggestion.

While no decision was made on the matter, city councilors emphasized that they planned on creating a festive, but safe, holiday experience this year.

“Santa’s still here, his elves are here but COVID’s still going on,” Denton said.