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Parade an exciting spectacle with 71 entries

Wasn’t that a parade — all those floats, all those bands, all those horses. And the people, walking and riding, waving and cheering.
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Rainy weather held off as Sylvan Lake hosted what was the biggest parade in recent times with 71 entries. It took about 45 minutes to pass the thousands of people who lined streets along the route. Inset: A 1946 General Motors COE truck owned by Greg Garson of Sylvan Lake won first place in the best antique vehicle category.

Wasn’t that a parade — all those floats, all those bands, all those horses. And the people, walking and riding, waving and cheering.

Crowds lined the streets and children waited patiently for candy which was handed out along the route. We’d conservatively estimate several thousand people saw the 45 minute long parade. And Mother Nature co-operated by holding off the rain with just a few light drops as the fire trucks at the end of the parade neared Lakeshore Drive.

Sylvan Lake certainly presented a fantastic display for our Centennial celebration of 1913 Days. There were 71 entries.

Winners in the Centennial parade were (in first to third order):

Adult community organization - Sylvan Lake Seniors Association, Sylvan Lake Chamber of Commerce and Sylvan Spirit of Yuletide Festival/Arrow Excavating.

Children community organization - Lakeside Go Carts, Sylvan Lake Municipal Library and Arashi-Do Sylvan Lake.

Best Centennial theme - family - Mattson family with 1958 John Deere, Hilman family established 1911 and the buggy with long time residents Dale and Shirley Mannix, Shirley Pickering and Rev. John Yoos.

Best Centennial theme - City of Red Deer.

Best commercial float - Tenaris, Squeaky Clean and Falcon Homes.

Municipality float - Town of Sylvan Lake and City of Lacombe.

Best Antique Vehicle, oldest – 1946 GMC Coe owned by Greg Garson, 1928 Pontiac Model 6 by Toastmasters Sylvan’s Slick Speakers, and 1928 red Model A.

Riding - Alberta Friesian Horse Association.