INNISFAIL – Mother Nature maintained its prolonged tease of threatening bad weather for the annual Innisfail Rotary Pro Rodeo Parade but when start time came, the sun was poking through the clouds.
It really didn’t matter to the hundreds of Innisfailians who came out early to pack the sides of downtown streets for the morning parade on June 15.
Most were used to the rainy June weather.
In fact, many have come to welcome it as the parade has become a tradition for decades, an event to salute the beginning of summer and the annual prestigious Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo, being played out the same weekend just north of town.
As always, the parade started on time at 10:30 a.m. with a pair of Mounties, resplendent in Red Serge, leading more than 50 floats, marching bands, company and government vans, horseback entries, antique vehicles, and of course Darlene Thompson, the town’s current Citizen of the Year.
Within minutes of starting at the intersection of 49 Street and 51 Avenue, wide-eyed children on Main Street were ready for tossed candy treasures; scampering excitedly for every piece thrown their way.
“It's so much fun for the kids, and the candy is also fun for older adults too,” said Innisfail mayor Jean Barclay, who was busy during the parade with Town of Innisfail chief administrative officer Todd Becker handing out candy treasures. “And to approach an elderly person and ask them if they want some candy and they say, ‘yes, I do, because today I am a kid’ is a pretty special moment.
“I remember when my mom lived at Rosefield (Centre) I took her out onto the lawn by Rosefield to watch a parade,” added the mayor. “I took another resident with us who was non-verbal and I remember the parade going by and the smiles on their faces.
“And the lady who was non-verbal had the biggest smile on her face as the parade was going by,” said Barclay. “It was just something that truly made her day.”
The parade, organized in partnership with the Town of Innisfail by the Rotary Club of Innisfail, lasted about 35 minutes. The once threatening rain never came.
“There’s a really good turnout this year. It was raining a little bit but it cleared up,” said Dani Rain, parade organizer for the Innisfail Rotary club for the third consecutive year. “As you get more experience and you learn how to do things better, it just flows along.”
One citizen who has an almost perfect half-century attendance record at the parade is Earl Dreeshen, federal MP for the riding of Red Deer - Mountain View.
“I spent so much time teaching here, so it was great to be here for the parade,” said Dreeshen. “It’s an exciting part of Innisfail’s heritage. I know everybody just feels this is kind of the start of summer, and it's a great opportunity for everyone to just enjoy themselves.”
And for the usually humble Thompson, who was chosen Innisfail’s finest citizen last April, her parade appearance came about near the start in a bright red convertible.
“It will be fun,” said Thompson, who for decades shied away from any public attention for her longstanding dedicated volunteerism.
However, on this special annual day to salute Innisfail’s heritage she promised to wave, smile and wave again.
“Of course I will be waving,” said Thompson, who brought an umbrella just in case the rain came. “It'll be great to see a different aspect because I usually watch the parade, and so being in it will be fun to drive all over town and wave.”
