A parade does more than just entertain with cool planes that twist and twirl and marching bands with 76 trombones. They can also inspire and reflect on a community’s history. The area celebrates a part of history at the annual Spirit of Okotoks Parade this Saturday. The Town chose wisely in selecting its theme, Proud to be Canadian, and most importantly having the Wedderburn family as the event’s parade marshal. The Wedderburns are definitely Canadian and most definitely proud to be Okotokians. The family has a long history in the Okotoks area, including most recently as a new K-9 School will be built on what has affectionately been called the Wedderburn lands, along 32 Street. Greg Wedderburn, who died in 2013, was a leading force in bringing the Okotoks Junior A Oilers to town. He was proudly Okotokian. One of this editor’s first mistakes was when meeting Wedderburn at a Dawgs game – where Weddderburn was promoting the Oilers – was asking him: ‘Are you from High River?” “Take that back,” he replied, with a laugh, recalling a somewhat forgotten heated rivalry. Wedderburn was an Okotoks-area teacher and he would be proud of the initiative shown by students as they take on the responsibilities at the Children’s Festival this weekend. Eighteen youths are taking the lead in setting up stations which will provide fun, safe and thought-provoking activities for younger children. More importantly, it’s an example of students mentoring others and setting good examples for those following in their footsteps. That was something the Wedderburns did, lead by example. Greg would be amused the parade is going the reverse way. He wasn’t afraid to try new things, especially when it comes to youth. The Okotoks Oilers are a perfect example of the parade of memories the family has provided.
