There have been many events that have changed due to regulations that were put in effect for the pandemic, however there were some events that found a way around the rules by hosting them virtually like our annual local Thanksgiving Parade. 

There’s been a partnership between the KTSM station and Sun Bowl Association for years; they devised a plan to ensure that the parade could go on as usual, but with a few modifications.

The KTSM station and the Sun Bowl Association worked together this year and prepared the floats as well as other preparations for the parade. 

The contingence forced several changes in the parade’s planning.

Oscar Leeser was one of the sponsors of the parade and as he was determined to keep the tradition going, even if the streets were crowdless. 

Leeser said, “I consider the Sun Bowl parade an iconic El Paso event. I remember it as a kid and always loved it. This year, with COVID-19, most parades across the country have been canceled. I’m making sure the Sun Bowl Parade tradition continues by sponsoring the first-ever “Oscar Leeser‘s Hyundai Of El Paso‘s Virtual Parade”, so our kids and families will get to enjoy it in safety — it’s worth every penny.” 

Leeser wanted to be able to give the El Pasoan children an experience that they will never forget, but  most importantly remember the annual parade that started in the olden days of El Paso.

As of the parade going virtual, in case anyone missed the event it was recorded and uploaded to YouTube. 

This year has been difficult for some as during this different times of the year, events and traditions had to be postponed or cancelled. 

Now, with everything going virtual due to the pandemic and doing social-distancing these past months, it hasn’t dampened on the spirits of El Pasoans and others around the world. 

Without the standing tradition of going to the parade physically, technology has provided ways to uphold tradition even if it’s not the normal way this year.