Rain, snow, wind and a global pandemic couldn't put a damper on the Cochrane and Area Events Society's Labour Day Parade (Display).
According to Marina Chabbert, secretary with Cochrane & Area Events Society Secretary, the organization was “pleasantly surprised” to see how well the community received the modified parade display. The event saw more than 800 spectators drop by the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre parking lot to visit the stationary floats and displays.
“We were very pleased with the attendance and with the response of the people attending," Chabbert said. "We’re very happy with the enthusiasm from all of the participants and all of the spectators. For the most part, everybody was very happy, relaxed and enjoyed the atmosphere.”
One of the best parts of the day was the entertainment on the grounds, she said, praising the work volunteers and floats did to keep the day fun and interactive for community members.
The Labour Day Parade (Display) did face a challenge due to the weather – winds were high, paired with some rain. Still, Chabbert said, the parade has faced more extreme weather in the past.
“It rained but it didn’t pour – it was just a little bit of a nuisance,” she said.
Floats in the Labour Day Parade (Display) brought out their decorators' creativity and energetic enthusiasm to the day enjoyable for guests.
The Guns of the Golden West took home the award for Best Overall Float, Cultivate Cochrane was named Most Creative Display and the Filipino Community Cochrane display was named Most Entertaining.
“They did a good job of getting people to have fun,” Chabbert said.
She added that during the parade, the Events Society was able to hand out $100 Cochrane Dollars.
Chabbert noted festivities for the 2020 Labour Day Parade were scaled-down in comparison to past events due to the public health regulations in place because of COVID-19.
While it may not have been a traditional parade celebration, Chabbert added she appreciated people followed the regulations put in place by Alberta Health.
“We’re happy with how things turned out,” she said.
