Many of the 1913 Days activities on the weekend were billed as a success although rain and strong winds dampened some of the enthusiasm late Saturday and on Sunday.
The highlight of Saturday, for thousands (according to this reporter’s estimate) who lined the parade route was obviously the hour long passage of people and floats in front of their eyes, and for the youngsters the chance to collect lots of candy.
“We went from 13 parade participants to 46 in five days,” said the town’s special events coordinator, Sonia Munksgaard. “Thank you to everyone who stepped forward and entered in the parade.”
Judging was so tough that ties were awarded for each of the first, second and third prizes.
Topping the entries were Sylvan Lake Centennial Celebration and Servus Credit Union. In second place the tie was between Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church and Spirit of Sylvan Yuletide Festival and the third place tie was between the entry of Arashi-Do Sylvan Lake and Yoga Dive and the entry of LanTin Ranch.
The parade was led by RCMP members Cst. Michael Lee, Sergeant Michelle Boutin and Cst. Marty Reed marching in red serge. They were accompanied by members on Segways and driving ATVs. The RCMP contingent was followed by Legion members Butch Bouchard and Larry Neis.
Innisfail Pipe Band was near the front of the parade and the Red Deer Royals Marching Band brought up the rear, both adding to the celebratory tone of the spectacle. In between were MP Earl Dreeshen, MLA Kerry Towle and mayors from adjacent municipalities.
Mayor Susan Samson (and others) rode in the Sylvan Lake Centennial Celebration’s horse drawn wagon. This float also included a contingent of the cheer squad from H. J. Cody High School performing their high air acrobatics as well as Lesley Hill and task force chairperson Brenda Dale writing horses.
The variety of floats, vehicles and walking participants was greeted by smiling faces from many youngsters along the route which ran west across 47th Avenue, south on 50th Street, the east along Lakeshore Drive, north up 46th Street and back to the community centre area.
The theme of the parade was Get Up and Get Active.
Earlier in the morning Sylvan Lake firefighters hosted a pancake breakfast which attracted about 620 people, according to Deputy Chief Steve Scanland. That’s down slightly from the average of about 700 people in past years.
The afternoon, following the parade, featured a variety of events including an open house at Sylvan Lake & District Archives Society, an Ice Cream Parlour at the Senior’s Centre, a barbecue and charity pie auction in front of the Cobb’s building (see separate story), along with a garage sale put on by Sylvan Lake & Area Community Partners Association, and a variety of special offers and activities by various businesses.
The KidZone and Game-A-Palooza at the multiplex attracted approximately 1,500 people over its two and a half hours, said Munksgaard. “Volunteers hosted record numbers at the Saturday afternoon event.”
The weather took a turn for the worse later in the day and the 1913 Days Drive-In Movie featuring The Lorax which was supposed to take place at the Walmart parking lot was cancelled for safety reasons.
The same fate faced the Family BBQ on Sunday afternoon at Centennial Park. Munksgaard said this event is in the process of being rescheduled although a date wasn’t available at press time.
“An enormous thank you goes out to all volunteers, participants and event attendees over the 1913 Days weekend,” she said. “Just can’t wait for the Centennial Celebrations of 2013.”