SUNDRE — Instead of simply accepting as information correspondence from the Town of Bowden to participate in its upcoming parade, council unanimously approved a motion accepting the invitation.
But in the absence of an official municipal float for participation in parades, administration will consider some potential options to present to council for consideration at a later date.
The Bowden Daze Parade is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 with this year’s theme being “The Year of the Garden.”
The letter, addressed to Mayor Richard Warnock and co-signed by parade coordinators Jen Masching and Alison Fieguth, said the theme was selected “to celebrate the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association’s 100th anniversary” and added participants are encouraged to incorporate that theme into their entries and attire.
Chris Albert, director of corporate services, said during the March 28 meeting that council could choose either to accept the correspondence for information or commit to participating in the parade.
“Don’t we always go?” asked Coun. Chris Vardas.
Mayor Richard Warnock confirmed council’s traditional participation in the Sundre Pro Rodeo Parade but didn’t recall venturing out to other community parades.
“Not in the last term that I was on council anyway,” said Warnock, who prior to being elected mayor last October had served one term as a councillor.
Coun. Jaime Marr told her colleagues she had recently attended a meeting of the ad hoc committee struck by Sundre Communities in Bloom, and asked if delegating might be suitable in this instance.
After all, not only is Sundre is Five Bloom community, but the Bowden Daze Parade’s theme is right up Communities in Bloom’s alley, said Marr.
Coun. Todd Dalke said he appreciated the invitation, and spoke in favour of making arrangements for the town to prepare a float, perhaps in coordination between council and administration.
“We do need to support our local areas,” said Dalke, adding he once upon a time would attend Bowden’s parade every year when he lived in Innisfail.
Dalke proceeded to motion for council to accept the invitation.
Coun. Owen Petersen spoke in favour of the motion and asked administration whether any related expenses might be allocated from for example tourism or promotions.
“We will bring some ideas forward,” said Albert, adding July is not that far away. “As far as I know, we do not have any sort of floats for Sundre built. We’d have to see.”
Marr pointed out the Shady Grove Bluegrass Music Festival is also scheduled for that weekend and asked whether there might be any timing conflicts either for staff or council members.
The motion nevertheless ended up carrying unanimously, with the conversation to continue at a later date once administration has options to present council.
