The Greater New Haven Columbus Day Parade has been canceled this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to First Selectman Michael Freda. Freda said the decision was made on a recent short Zoom call to cancel the parade because of the novel coronavirus. He said committee organizers and town officials agreed easily it was in the best interest not to have the parade in 2020.

“It really wasn’t a long phone call,” he said. The regional parade is a combined effort of six municipalities. The host rotates each year between those six towns and cities; in 2020, North Haven was expected to be the host for the event.