This Okotoks Parade Day, more than any other, is going to be about a lot more than just the parade.
Marg Cox, Okotoks’ community events liaison, said she has high hopes for a positive reaction to this year’s lineup of participants.
“I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised with the parade this year,” she said. “It’s going to be fabulous. There has been a lot of interest in it from a lot of people. We’ll have lots of bands and it’s going to be fun.”
Besides all the floats, horses, musicians and other parade attractions passing through downtown there is a full slate of Spirit of Okotoks activities will take place the community.
The Lions Club’s Community Breakfast at the McRae Street parking lot across from the post office will get things started downtown from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The parade itself goes from 11 a.m. to around noon and features the theme The Jewel of the Community — Celebrating Clubs and Organizations.
Following the parade the Children’s Festival will be held at the Ethel Tucker Park, the cultural celebration at the Okotoks Public Library and the Moccasin Dance makes its return to the Centennial Arena.
In addition, there will be a Big Rock Block Party downtown and a Model T Show and Shine and barbecue at Okotoks Ford.
Cox said the block party will be taking place along McRae Street in Okotoks from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature food tastings from many local eateries. A donation is required to sample the food and funds raised will go to the Okotoks Interfaith Food Bank. The Olde Towne Plaza will be a focal point of activity with live music performed by local performers such as Rollin’ Thunder.
In conjunction with the block party, Music Centre Canada on Elizabeth Street will be putting on their own special event.
“We’re doing a dance party after the parade outside the store for kids and whoever else wants to come,” said storeowner Kelly Vance.
Providing the beats for the all ages dance will be local high school student Sascha Liebrand. He’s following in the deejay steps of his famous father Ben who has remixed music for many stars including Phil Collins and Sting.
Car enthusiasts will want to make their way to the Okotoks Ford parking lot where about 100 classic cars including more than 40 model Ts will be on site.
Ted Zylstra, event organizer and the dealership’s parts ands service manager, owns three models Ts himself and said the legacy of these antique vehicles remains strong.
“They are more or less just parade and short journey cars because they obviously don’t go very fast,” Zylstra said. “They have a lot of appeal to older people. Everyone seems to remember having one on the farm. Even middle-aged people will say to me, ‘I remember my grandpa had one on the farm and he drove me around in it. It was very cool.’”
For more on all the Spirit of Okotoks activities check out the attached events schedule or go on-line to www.okotoks.ca
