This year’s Airdrie Canada Day Parade Marshal will undoubtedly pack a punch.
Humble Boxing Academy boxer Emily Vigneault was named this year’s Parade Marshal after representing her city at the 2023 Canada Winter Games earlier this year and bringing home a gold medal in the women’s 60-kilogram weight class.
Now, the 16-year-old Bert Church High School student-athlete is ready to step outside of the ring to lead the parade on July 1.
Excited for the opportunity, Vigneault said she has a lot of thoughts about the recognition.
“I almost have no words to describe everything going through my mind right now,” she said. “I’ve never been the face of anything big like this.”
Vigneault’s father was the one who broke the news to her. She said she was initially in disbelief that she had been granted the esteemed position.
Taking a minute to let it sink in, Vigneault even questioned her father at first.
“I was jumping in excitement I was so happy,” she said. “I was like ‘No way, are you serious? you’re lying to me – there’s no way.’”
Being the parade marshal comes with a handful of responsibilities. From leading the procession down the designated route to deciding which floats receive awards afterward, Vigneault is looking forward to the experience.
Being from Airdrie, Vigneault is honoured to represent her hometown.
“I feel very at home here and to be able to represent the city is just such a privilege to me,” she said.
While she's relatively new to the sport of boxing, Vigneault has already made a name for herself in the ring. In addition to her gold-medal performance at this year's Canada Winter Games, the Grade 11 student-athlete also won both of her bouts at the Silver Gloves competition in Medicine Hat.
Prior to taking up boxing, Vigneault was an experienced Muay Thai kickboxer, even competing in the sport internationally as a 10-year-old.
Committee chair of the Airdrie Canada Day Parade, Sam Morros, said Vigneault made the city proud as the first female athlete from Alberta to earn a gold medal in boxing at the Canada Winter Games.
Morros said Vigneault represents the athletic talent that comes out of the city.
“We saw her lots in the news and we think she’s an excellent representation of Airdrie excellence [and] awesome youth in Airdrie so we’re really excited to have her leading the way,” Morros said.
Morros said having a parade marshal for the annual Canada Day procession is a way to showcase and honour Airdronians who have made an impact in the city. She added the position is symbolic but it “really serves as the kick-off to the event.”
2023 has been a big year for the rising boxer. Not only did Vigneault secure gold at the Canada Winter Games, but she also received the award for the 2023 Best Junior Boxer for Alberta.
Vigneault found out she had won the award after seeing a Facebook post from her boxing coach. She was eager to share the news with her parents.
“I was on Facebook, and I saw that my coach posted it and my jaw dropped,” she said. “I immediately ran straight to my mom and my dad.”
The parade will start at 10 a.m. on July 1 with Vigneault leading the way. She looks forward to seeing her fellow Airdronions out for a day of patriotic celebration.
“I’m so excited to be able to see everybody,” she said.
