Torrington — The Torrington City Council on Dec. 3 approved a special event permit and waived associated fees for the city’s annual Christmas parade, scheduled for Dec. 6, 2024, with street closures on Main Street between 19th and 25th avenues from about 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the council was told.

Chief Johnson described the planned closures and public-safety staffing, saying the parade route and downtown closures are similar to past years and that staff expect most pedestrian activity to be concentrated downtown. He said the council should expect closures to begin at about 5 p.m. to clear traffic ahead of the parade, which staff estimated would start at 6 p.m. and likely conclude around 6:30 p.m.

Leanne Mattis, the event applicant representing Gov Goshen (staff contact), thanked the council and community partners and said the event organizers had coordinated with police and downtown businesses. “I’m just truly thankful for all of the community partners that helped make this event together,” Mattis said.

Action taken: Councilman Beal moved to approve the special event permit and to waive the special-event fee and associated costs; Councilman Kelly seconded. The council approved the permit and fee waiver by voice vote.

Logistics: Chief Johnson said the lead vehicle will be a fire truck and that staff have coordinated a reduced street-closure footprint compared with larger events to limit business disruption. Council asked staff to provide estimates for police staffing and associated costs; the chief said estimated staffing numbers had been provided to the council in advance.

Outcome: Permit approved and fee waived; organizers may proceed with the parade on Dec. 6 with the previously described closures and public-safety support.