Town officials in Antigonish have decided to keep their annual Christmas parade at night.
Mayor Laurie Boucher says the option of moving the event to the daytime to make it safer was discussed.
After October’s regular town council meeting Monday night, Boucher said they’ve surveyed residents in the past, and they said they’d rather the parade remain at night.
“If the only reason we were going to change it would be for safety, (then) how can we work as a town and as a staff to be able to put more funds in that to make sure that we can control as much of it as we can?”
Boucher said they’re setting aside an additional $5,000.
She said that money will go toward extra safety measures.
“We asked that staff consult with some professionals in safety, and see what we have to do to mitigate as much of the risk as we can,” she said. “That plan is in place.”
Boucher said the additional money will be spent on extra security, barricades and lighting.
The event is scheduled to take place Nov. 23.
