The board of directors for the annual downtown Sarasota Holiday Parade have cancelled this year's festivities, citing the "precarious public health situation" due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In his weekly newsletter, city manager Tom Barwin acknowledged that while the cancellation may seem premature, parade participants often begin building their floats in August, so a decision was needed. The parade will return for a 25th anniversary celebration on Dec. 4, 2021.