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HAY RIVER
For the second year in a row, Hay River residents won't be lining the streets waiting for Santa's float to parade by.

The community has not held its annual Santa Claus parade since 2009.

Mayor Kelly Schofield said he was discouraged by the news, adding Hay River could benefit from seeing an annual parade.

"It is a big disappointment to not only myself but to the residents in town," he said. "It is a good opportunity for the businesses to show their support to the community and in turn the community will support them."

He added the town could use a little Christmas cheer to ease the negativity and unease due to the current poor economic state of the community.

"We need more positive events to take place in Hay River to show that the town is still a vibrant community," he said. "Hopefully there will be a huge outcry from the community which will result in a parade being planned next year."

The Chamber of Commerce had previously planned and organized the annual event, but president Brian Lefebvre said the chamber stepped back from that role a few years ago.

"Other organizations have looked at taking it over, without much success," he said. "It is a very busy time of year for businesses."

He said the Chamber stopped planning the parade due to more pressing matters on their agenda.

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