Those looking to register floats for this year’s Canada Day Parade will need to get in touch with organizers earlier than normal.
“Right now we’re about 50 per cent ahead of where we were at last year at this time,” said Airdrie Parades and Fireworks Committee Chairperson Stewart McLeish, adding the committee had seen a number of “unique” floats register this year.
McLeish said the committee was considering decreasing the number of floats available to be included in this year’s parade.
“Last year, we had 105 floats. The problem we ran into was that the first floats were back to the staging area before the last floats left,” he said. “105 is probably too many. It all depends on how big the floats are.”
After the parade completes its route down Main Street, McLeish said a number of family-friendly Canada Day festivities would begin.
“We’ve been trying each year to do a little bit more and this year we’re doing a little bit more,” he said. “In the south City Hall parking lot there will be a family fun zone with some entertainment and a few vendors.”
Businesses looking to participate in the parade can register for $75, and can also pre-register for this year’s Airdrie Santa Parade for a combined rate of $120. Not-for-profit or community organizations can register for the July 1 parade for $25, or both parades for $35.
“(Getting) a float is a really good way of getting your co-workers to bond together,” McLeish said. “It’s a way of raising your profile in the community. 20,000 people (will be) looking at you.”
“There’s lots of good reasons to be there - and everybody loves a parade.”
Ninety-four-year-old Peter Poohkay, who was presented with the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour on April 7, will serve as the parade marshal for this year’s event. Mackenzie Murphy, who helped establish the anti-bullying bylaw in Airdrie, will serve as parade dignitary. Murphy was named Miss Teenage Airdrie World 2015 and will be competing for Miss Teenage Canada 2015 in Toronto.
“We really respect what (Murphy) is doing and what she’s trying to do in terms of anti-bullying,” McLeish said. “To get the younger people interested in the parade, we produce a role model for them. We’re trying to appeal to everybody.”
For more information, or to register a float in this year’s parade, visit airdrieparades.com
