IT will look a little different than normal, but the Playford Community Christmas Pageant is set to march on in November despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pageant organisers confirmed on Sunday the event would still take place this year, but will be held at X-Convenience Oval in Elizabeth – home of Central District Football Club – on Saturday, November 28.

The event typically takes place along the streets of Playford, but organisers made the move to the oval to help with capping crowd numbers and ensuring social distancing.

A maximum of 3000 people are currently set to be allowed into the ground, which already has a COVID-safe plan in place due to it hosting SANFL football matches.

Pageant committee chair Shirley Halls said the group was excited to hold the event and bring some Christmas cheer to Playford residents.

“It’s really important for the residents to put the pageant on because we feel our residents in this time, with all they hits they’ve had, need a lift of spirits,” she said.

Due to the pageant being held on grass, there will be no vehicles in this year’s pageant and the distance participants walk will be far shorter.

Also, traditional Christmas pageant activities like handing out lollies will no longer be a feature.

Mrs Halls said despite the changes, she is sure families will enjoy the day.

“We’re talking to the participants now to see if they can do anything inventive while they’re walking around,” she said.

“We’re looking to get some groups to do some demonstrations while they’re going around.

“We want everyone to remember the COVID restrictions and everyone to be patient and tolerant while they’re lining up outside so we can have a great event.”

The event will remain free for attendees, but the public will need to reserve a ticket online to be allowed entry.

The online portal to reserve tickets will be made available in the coming weeks.

Changing COVID-19 restrictions means more, or fewer, than 3000 people could be allowed into the oval, with the committee to provide more information as the pandemic unfolds.

Mrs Halls added organisers were on the lookout for extra volunteers compared to previous years to compensate for the extra work running a COVID-safe event entails.

“We’re going to need more people to check people through the gate and marshals to encourage people to keep their distance between them,” she said.

“We need people to help clean up afterwards and this is something we haven’t had to do before as well.”

The committee was also looking for a videographer or photographer to help capture all the fun of the unique event.