El Dorado County (Sept 30, 2024) – PLACERVILLE — The organizers of Placerville’s annual Hangtown Christmas Parade are shaking things up this year, introducing new measures to enhance safety during the event. As part of these changes, parade participants will no longer be allowed to pass out candy. Instead, Santa’s helpers will distribute candy bags as they walk alongside Santa Claus.
This shift is in response to recurring safety concerns. Organizers stated on social media, “We have tried everything to get folks to not throw candy, but nothing works… and due to this, we had some pretty close calls with kids and vehicles that were not paying attention.” While throwing candy has been prohibited since at least 2017, some parade participants have continued to ignore the rules, resulting in a potential hazard for children darting into the street.
Local resident Tom Kenny weighed in on the new system. “I’ve never noticed a real problem, per se, except maybe some of the kids didn’t get the candy they wanted,” he said. However, he acknowledged that the new distribution method could help better control the process, ensuring a safer experience for everyone.
Darin Coelho, co-owner of The Bookery on Main Street, also sees the logic behind the change. “It seems to me it’s a fun activity as long as you can ensure a certain amount of safety,” Coelho said. Although his own children, who have attended the parade every year, have never encountered issues, he understands why organizers might be concerned.
The City of Placerville released a statement emphasizing the risks: “It is not safe to throw candy from a moving apparatus in large crowds. Certain non-compliant individuals choose not to follow the safety rules, increasing liability exposure.”
The parade, a staple of the holiday season, will take place on December 8. Anyone interested in volunteering as one of Santa’s Helpers or donating candy can reach out to Sue Taylor at 530-391-2190. Organizers hope these adjustments will make the beloved tradition both festive and safe for all involved.
