Sometimes, change can be good.

Even if the change is initially met with backlash, that doesn’t mean the concept or idea is a bad one.

In Zelienople, a recent decision about the borough’s annual Christmas celebration was made with good intentions but was met with backlash.

Luckily, those involved seem to have acknowledged that in this instance, such a drastic change may not have been the best idea.

Earlier this month, the Zelienople Area Business Association asked council to approve the date for the annual Christmas parade. Instead of holding it on Saturday morning as it had been in past years, the association decided to hold it on the prior Thursday to coincide with other events.

This, officials said, would allow the business association to focus its efforts on Small Business Saturday the previous week.

The change was met with concerns from borough leaders, including those about parking and ease of access to stores and the parade itself. After some debate, council agreed to approve the date change.

In theory, the business association had a solid reason to make the change. Anything it believes can help bring business to the borough should be considered, and as business owners, it knows what customers want.

However, the decision was met with community criticism. Many were concerned about cars being parked along the parade route and how that would affect their viewing. Others shared concerns over safety. Most, it seemed, simply did not like the break with tradition.

Business association officials returned to council last week to adjust the time of the parade, although it will still take place on the Thursday date.

However, in requesting the change, both business association and borough officials acknowledged a discussion will take place prior to next year’s parade. This year will serve as a trial run for the weeknight parade, and officials will analyze what worked and what didn’t before making a decision next fall. They were clear that a return to the Saturday morning date is a real possibility in 2020.

We believe this is the right move.

Again, the association has to do what it believes is right to promote businesses in the borough. It’s clear it is concerned the decision to move the parade could affect it negatively. It should be commended for thinking outside the box, and also for acknowledging when an idea may not have been the best decision.

We hope all members of the Zelienople community can come together to ensure this year’s celebration, and those for years to come, are joyous.

— JWJ