Wildfire smoke cleared and the sun came out as festooned floats, vintage vehicles and marching bands wound through downtown Red Deer on Wednesday during the Westerner Days parade.
Although cheerleaders built group pyramids, gymnasts did hand stands, and a troop of cavalry re-enactors rode by on their horses, the highlight for 11-year-old Jelani Ogaja was seeing the formation of Royal Canadian Mounted Police, dressed in their red serge.
Half a block away, Stella Dorine, 10, said she was also most impressed by the RCMP, while Dreyden Morgan, 13, enjoyed the floats and mascots — especially seeing Sparky the Safety City safety dog leading kids on scooters.
It was the parade music that most moved Olivia Egan, 7, as well as seven-month-old Teddy Barrett, who jiggled her arms and legs along to the Red Deer Royals marching band.
Red Deerians of all ages lined the streets for this annual kick-off to the Westerner Days Fair, which will go until Sunday at Westerner Park with rides, carnival food, chuckwagon races, agricultural exhibits and other entertainment.
Jean Rutschke was among the seniors who walked to the parade route to watch the all the floats and bands. “I like everything about it. I come every year,” she said.
With the city’s air quality index dropping to low risk for the first time this week, the sun was able to fully shine down on festivities. And parade-goers were able to watch a longer procession than last year, with 115 entries.
Event’s co-organizer Peggy Jackson, compared these numbers to pre-COVID days. Last year’s parade, the first after two years of cancellations, had 85 entries.
Jackson surmised local businesses were again viewing the parade as an exciting way to get their name out in the community. “It’s a great way to kick off Westerner Days and it gets people into the spirit.”
Wednesday’s parade was made up of mostly local entries, as well as a few out-of-town ones, including the Edmonton’s Royal Canadian Military Band, the Calgary’s Stampede and the Steele Scouts Commemorative Cavalry Troop of Calgary and area.
One of the most colourful floats, covered with recycled paper flowers, was made by the Philippine Canadian Association of Red Deer and area. The group went all out on costumes too, creating traditional garments from different parts of the Philippines. “It’s a celebration of culture,” said one of the organizers.
The Nuclear-Free Roller Derby group, meanwhile, came dressed in their battle gear — as well as unicorn pool floaties.
“We’ve been here every year for the last 10,” said team member Ashley “Smash ‘n’ Dash” Kerlik. But a lot of Red Deerians still don’t realize this area has roller derby teams that practise in Springbrook, she added. “We’re a bunch of weirdos, but we’re a lot of fun.”
