LIVERMORE — Although the Spirit of the Season parade has been canceled, the Spirit of the Season Committee has scheduled Santa’s Workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, at Livermore Elementary School.

“We decided to cancel the parade because of the lack of participation, the lack of interest and the lack of funding,” committee member Rachel LaBrecque said. “We also lost the insurance through the town.”

She said the town had provided parade insurance in the past and the committee looked at carrying its own, but decided it was too expensive.

At Santa’s Workshop, children ages 12 and younger can purchase gifts for their family members for 25 cents each. Santa will be available to hear Christmas wishes. People are encouraged to bring their cameras if they wish to get a photo of their child with Santa.

Individuals or businesses can donate $5 to light a bulb on the Spirit of the Season Tree in honor or in memory of a special person. LaBrecque said proceeds will go to the Coats for Kids program, which provides coats for children in Regional School Unit 73.

“Donations have been good, so we’re going to keep that (Coats for Kids) going,” she said.

Donation forms can be picked up at Androscoggin Bank or at businesses in town.

A total of 72 coats were purchased with last year’s donations, LaBrecque said.

“That number goes up every year,” she said. “There’s a need out there for it.”

The Spirit of the Season Committee is looking for a person or group of people to take over Santa’s Workshop and perhaps resurrect the parade.

“We’re down to a three- or four-person crew,” LaBrecque said. “We all have so many other things going on. We’d love to pass the torch on to someone else. We’re going to continue doing the coats.”

She said the committee is grateful for all the volunteers who have helped out with the parade and Santa’s Workshop.

bmatulaitis@sunmediagroup.net

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