The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect traditional county events.

  McDonough officials recently announced that the 2020 version of the annual Christmas parade has been cancelled. According to a city spokesperson, it was discussed at a recent City Council meeting and several options were mentioned, including a drive-by version of the parade, but it was felt that the event would not get sufficient support. It was the consensus of the council to forgo this year’s event, according to a city spokesperson.

  Another holiday-themed event that is going by the wayside this year is the city’s annual Veterans Day breakfast. This decision was made because the target audience of honorees includes so many who are elderly and considered high-risk, according to officials.

  In recent years there has been a great turnout for the Veterans Day breakfast. In fact, it has gotten so popular as to be essentially split in half, with a necessity for two breakfasts on successive days to handle the crowds.

  City leaders are looking at alternative ways to honor veterans this fall, according to a spokesperson.

  One other event that is still up in the air is the Geranium Drop, which has become a New Year’s Eve tradition in downtown McDonough. An announcement on that is expected within the next week.

  The pandemic and ensuing shutdown have wreaked havoc on this year’s calendar in Henry County. The annual Geranium Festival was initially moved from its traditional May date to September, then officials announced several weeks ago that it would not take place at all in 2020. The next Geranium Festival is scheduled for May 15, 2021.