Annual Wegmans Halloween Parade Canceled by Pandemic

Hundreds of Binghamton-area kids will miss a seasonal treat because the traditional Halloween parade won't be held at the Wegmans store in Johnson City.

The event, which was held on October 29 last year, has been scrapped this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kids and their parents at the Wegmans store in Johnson City for the 2019 Halloween parade. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)

Parents usually are invited to bring their children to the annual costume party at the Wegmans location on Harry L. Drive. But the in-store trick-or-treating won't be taking place this week due to health concerns.

The Johnson City store was filled with enthusiastic kids for the 2019 event at a time when masks were optional.

In a statement Thursday, Wegmans spokeswoman Marcie Rivera said the company's stores in Johnson City and Ithaca have decided to cancel the Halloween parades this year "due to capacity limits and social distancing concerns."

Rivera wrote: "These are cherished community events that we look forward to each year and we hope to host them again in the future."

A sign promoting 2019 the Halloween parade at the Wegmans store in Johnson City. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)