INNISFAIL – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the cancellations of the 2020 Innisfail Parade and 60th Annual Innisfail Pro Rodeo.
The cancellations for the town’s two late spring marquee events, planned for the weekend of June 12 to 14, were announced separately late last week by the Town of Innisfail and rodeo directors J. Dustin Daines and Dana Daines-Smith.
“We’ve been talking about the rodeo for some time since everyone has been in isolation,” said Daines. “The goal was to continue with the rodeo but it’s clearly not possible with the restrictions put on gatherings until the end of summer.”
He noted a letter was sent seven weeks ago to local MLA Devin Dreeshen to look at other options, such as a “running the calves” event, which had been approved in the U.S. to help cowboys earn money to compete in future events, such as the National Finals Rodeo.
“That was kind of what we were looking for but we didn’t get any traction,” he said, noting the province’s initiative last week to allow golf courses to open. “Golf got traction. People are going to be golfing in Alberta and I didn’t think that was going to happen but it’s happening.
“It is what it is and we are dead in the water,” added Daines. “We don’t want to cancel anything but the 60th (annual rodeo) is postponed until next year.”
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In the meantime, the Town of Innisfail issued a news release last week that the annual parade, which is put on with enormous support from local service clubs, notably the Rotary Club of Innisfail, is also being shelved. The parade was scheduled for Saturday, June 13.
“Due to restrictions around public gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Innisfail has made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the 2020 Innisfail Parade,” said the news release.
“Although the decision is a disappointing one, the town recognizes and appreciates the understanding of those impacted, and continues to monitor developments around potential effects on future programming and events.”
Mayor Jim Romane acknowledged the parade cancellation would disappoint many citizens and out-of-town visitors, as well as the committed local service clubs, but added it was a decision by the town, working with provincial Alberta Health Services officials, that was not made lightly.
“It is a result of discussions with the province. I am sure the (parade) committee would have loved to see the parade happen but they have to (work) with the province and the professionals who are calling the shots and we have to pretty much go with what they recommend or what they state now,” said Romane.
The mayor added this year’s Canada Day celebrations at Centennial Park, which has been immensely successful since 2017, may also have to be cancelled.
“This pandemic thing has just thrown a hoop into a whole lot of things and now they are even looking at whether we can do anything on July 1. I think that is on the table right now,” said Romane.
“This gathering thing of more than 15 people is affecting a lot of things,” he added. “We were hoping they (AHS) might make some exceptions but no, especially when it comes to group gatherings.”
