INNISFAIL – A little bit more of important civic normal returns to Innisfail today with the 2022 Innisfail Rotary Pro Rodeo Parade.
The 2022 version is back in town for its traditional time in June.
In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying provincial restrictions forced the parade to be delayed until Sept. 4.
In 2020, it was cancelled altogether.
But in 2022, the parade date is back to a welcome semblance of normality starting later this morning.
“I feel great about the parade going ahead this year with no restrictions. Alberta has been open for quite a while,” said Dani Rain, a member of the Rotary Club of Innisfail and organizer of this year’s parade. “I think it's great to get back into normality.”
That normality will include enjoying a pancake breakfast downtown sponsored by the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104.
The pancake breakfast will start at the legion at 8 a.m. and run until 10 a.m. There is a $5 charge (cash only) for adults. The breakfast is free to kids six and under.
Meghan Jenkins, the town’s director of community services, said last week there were at least 30 floats registered for this year’s parade with more expected to come in before June 18.
Registered participants are asked to meet no later than 9:15 a.m. in their staging area, with judging beginning at 9:30 a.m.
As in previous parades, entries will be judged in several categories, including antique cars, horses, clubs, commercial and bands.
Rotary will be awarding ribbons and prizes to the winning floats from each category.
The service club is also responsible for choosing this year’s parade marshal.
Tammy Thompson, the president of the local Rotary club, proudly confirmed that Heather Taylor, the winner of Innisfail’s 2021 Citizen of the Year Award and former town councillor, is this year’s parade marshal.
“I'm very excited and very honoured to have been chosen for that,” said Taylor. “I've always enjoyed the parade and rodeo week has always been one of my favourites, especially when I was working.”
The parade starts at 10:30 a.m.
The town will be placing barricades and signs at intersections, side streets and alley access points along the parade route, indicating street closures from 8:30 a.m. until the end of the parade at about 12:30 p.m.
The parade starts at the intersection of 49th Street and 51st Avenue, and moves north to 50th Street where it will turn east and then south on 50th Avenue. It will then head west on 40th Street then north on 52nd Avenue, and end at the intersection of 52nd Avenue and 42nd Street.
Following the parade, citizens can then head to other planned events or those already in progress, such as the Daines Ranch Pro Rodeo, six kilometres north of town along the C & E Trail.
From noon until 3 p.m. the Innisfail and Area Family Resource Network is sponsoring a Bike Rodeo and barbecue in the parking lot of the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre.
Following the parade, Day Dental is hosting a 10-year anniversary barbecue at their new headquarters near the Henday Mall at 4890 – 52nd Street.
