Coronavirus restrictions could trigger the cancellation of Mount Gambier's Christmas parade, which is one of the city's largest annual community events.
The event is one of the largest and longest-running Christmas pageants in regional Australia, and historically attracts up to 20,000 people.
The City of Mount Gambier council will meet tomorrow night to make a final decision, but a staff report has recommended the cancellation of the event.
The report said cancelling the parade was "not likely to come as a surprise" due to the uncertainty around COVID-19 restrictions and the public health implications.
It also included four alternative event options in "[recognition of] the constraints of providing a parade during a pandemic".
The president of the Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce, Hayley Neumann, said cancelling the event would be disappointing but understandable.
"If it is cancelled it will be disappointing for the economy, but obviously the health consequences far outweigh the economic consequences in this scenario," she said.
"The possibility of a shutdown is much more of an economic consequence than probably not having a parade."
Christmas trading importance
The Parade traditionally kickstarts the Christmas trading period for Limestone Coast retailers.
Ms Neumann said it was an economic boost for many retail and tourism businesses.
"We have people coming from far and wide to see their families on the floats and spend time together, shopping or going out for lunch," Ms Neumann said.
"It's going to have a huge impact economically.
"Kicking off that Christmas trade is so important for the shops, so hopefully they can find other ways to get their sales if the pageant is cancelled."
Ms Neumann said the Chamber would work with council to canvass other options to boost retail and create Christmas spirit.
"The Christmas parade is such a big event for the town and any other creative ways to make the town really think about Christmas and will have to be explored," she said.
"Perhaps we can do a window dressing display event or something like that … perhaps a Secret Santa."
