COVID-19 has changed the way Southwest New Brunswickers are able to mark the holidays for two years in a row, including in the Town of St. Stephen. 

"With COVID-19, we've had to change things once again this year, but we were able to launch the town's 'Walk of Lights' display last week," said Deputy Mayor of St. Stephen Ghislaine Wheaton.
"It was definitely the kick off to the holiday season," said St. Stephen Events Coordinator Michelle Vest. "There was also a concert in town that night and a hockey game, so the town was bumping. The 'Walk of Lights' was actually something we started last year in the first year of COVID-19 because it allowed for people to keep a safe distance from each other but still enjoy the beauty of the town over the holidays by taking a stroll at their own pace to look at all the lights in town."

There has been some silver lining to the pandemic in that it has incited a lot of creativity to find new ways to celebrate that allow people to socially distance themselves accordingly. St. Stephen will also hold a town-wide "National Ugly Sweater Day" on December 17th, encouraging all residents to mark the day by wearing their wildest holiday sweater around town that day.

Due to the high numbers of daily COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick, the town has once again decided to hold off on some of the traditional celebrations for the holidays. The Santa Claus Parade will once again be cancelled due to the inability to ensure safe social distancing. Santa will still be paying a visit to the children of St. Stephen by heading to the Garcelon Civic Centre on December 4th for photos and to hear kids' Christmas wishes.