Duane Hicks
Organizers will be trying out a fresh concept for this year’s Christmas parade—a stationary one.
Instead of being a procession going down Scott Street after sunset, the parade (which has been set for Saturday, Nov. 30) will see a series of floats parked along there during the day.
The idea is people will come downtown that day and be able to view the floats at their leisure.
What’s more, a series of activities will be organized around the stationary parade.
“The idea was actually suggested by Doug Anderson from Betty’s and we’ve been discussing it with Richard [Boileau] from McTaggarts,” said Robin Payeur of Causeway General Insurance Brokers Ltd., which has spearheaded the Christmas parade here since 2009.
“We’re looking at having an all-day event downtown Fort Frances in conjunction with the BIA,” she noted.
Anderson said last year’s parade saw poor participation and he felt the event needed a shot-in-the-arm.
Anderson was inspired by his late uncle, Harlan “Hub” Ballard, who wouldn’t attend the Rose Bowl parade while living in California but instead would take in the parade preparations the night before the actual event.
This gave him an opportunity to look closely at all the floats and talk to the people who made them.
Uncle Hub suggested that maybe all parades should be like that—stationary—and the idea stuck with Anderson.
Anderson also reasoned that some local seniors, especially those who are in long-term care, aren’t usually able to attend the Santa Claus parade.
He recalled visiting his late aunt, Jessie Miller, in Rainycrest during a Christmas party and how the holiday festivities put a smile on the residents’ faces.
If the parade was stationary and the road was blocked to traffic, a shuttle could transport seniors from Rainycrest to the downtown area and drive down the fire lane, letting them see the floats and rekindling that spark of holiday joy in them, reasoned Anderson.
The theme for this year’s parade will be “A Festival of Frost,” a title Anderson had been kicking around for the past decade.
He added the idea is for it to be much more than a series of floats—it’s to have local businesses and other groups plan activities around the stationary parade.
Payeur said the BIA will be approaching the town to have a couple of blocks of Scott Street closed off starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the parade.
Floats then can be brought downtown any time after that.
Organizers will ask that unless the towing vehicle is part of the float, that the float be dropped off and the vehicle removed.
“The BIA is working with the downtown businesses to have different promotions—such as a sidewalk sale—during the day,” noted Payeur.
“Some businesses have offered to run extension cords from their businesses to the floats downtown to minimize the use of generators.”
Payeur stressed organizers are looking for ideas for events.
“Someone has suggested, for example, a road hockey exhibition game, but that’s still up for discussion,” she remarked.
“If any organization would like to put an event together, we’d love to hear it!
“After all, we’re going to have the space downtown—let’s use it!” she enthused.
Payeur said the theme and time of day shouldn’t throw people off if they’re used to putting a float in the evening “Parade of Lights.”
“We still want the lights and music; after all; it still is the parade of lights!” she noted.
“Some organizations are not just putting in a float, but want to have an activity such as face-painting, etc.
“We would ask that people register their floats with us here at Causeway so we can sort out who goes where and who will need what,” added Payeur.
Floats once again will be judged and eligible for prizes. But due to the nature of the stationary parade, there will be a “People’s Choice” category, which the public will vote on.
With the event still about two months away, some details still are being worked out, such as at what time all the floats must be downtown for judging.
For more information, contact Payeur at Causeway Insurance (274-6688).
