BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The 2020 Annual Christmas Parade has been canceled for now due to COVID-19, but organizers said they are working on developing a virtual, video parade format, sponsored by 23ABC.

Greg Cronk, President of the all-volunteer Bakersfield Christmas Parade Committee, said the committee recognized a need to keep spectators, participants and all those involved with producing the parade safe form the COVID-19 virus.

"First, we wanted to secure the safety of our parade personnel, participants and parade watchers with an option that would be safe from the COVID-19 virus. Secondly, the committee is determined to retain, if at all possible, a Christmas Parade for the enjoyment of youngsters and those young at heart," said Cronk in a statement.

In order to keep the tradition alive and bring some Christmas spirit to those in the community, the committee is trusting a video parade option is fiscally possible as the parade is produced by a combination of entry fees and local sponsors.

The committee expects participation in the parade will be reduced from over 100 to approximately 65 entries due to time constraints. For that reason, sponsor participation will be even more important this year, Cronk said.

Applications and information are expected to be posted on the Bakersfield Christmas Parade website within the next week. Videos are expected to be submitted by Monday, November 2.

The 2020 parade will be presented on Thursday, December 3, 2020 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 23ABC, Facebook and it's streaming platforms.

Further updates for the 2020 Christmas Parade may be found here.