Duane Hicks
More floats are being sought for the 2017 “Community Christmas Parade,” which is set to go here on Saturday, Dec. 2.
“We definitely need community support when it comes to participation,” said parade co-ordinator Scott Krienke-Turvey.
“Our numbers are down from the past two years at this point,” he noted. “And I haven’t been getting a lot of calls saying, ‘We’re interested, we just haven’t committed yet.’
“We definitely need some help,” he stressed.
It’s easy to register a float. You can e-mail ffsanta2017@gmail.com or you can go to the new website–ffsanta.com–and sign up there.
The deadline to sign up is next Thursday (Nov. 30).
The theme this year is “Christmas Candyland.”
Meanwhile, the parade also will feature a “Weirdest or Wackiest Hat” contest.
Parade spectators and participants are urged to get creative and wear the weirdest or wackiest hat that can find.
A prize–and bragging rights–will be awarded for the most outstanding and unique hat of the event.
“It doesn’t have to Christmas-themed so pull out your stuff from Hallowe’en or whatever,” Krienke-Turvey urged.
Judging will take place along the parade route, with the winner to be picked once all the hats have been viewed.
Volunteers also are needed for various jobs. Those who wish to help out can e-mail ffsanta2017@gmail.com for more information.
Parade float set-up will start at 4:30 p.m. on Reid Avenue (by the Fort Frances Public Library).
Float judging then will take place at 5 p.m. (each one will be judged for originality based on this year’s theme).
The parade then will start at 5:30 p.m., proceeding west along Scott Street before ending at Mowat Avenue.
This means the public will be able to park on the 100 block of Scott Street, including the parking lot by From the Grind Up.
In related news, 93.1 The Border will hold its annual “Burst the Bus” initiative earlier in the day on Dec. 2.
They’re inviting the public to bring non-perishable food, unwrapped toys, or cash down to the Iron Range Bus on the 200 block of Scott Street between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
These donations will help out the local Salvation Army with its Christmas hamper program for those in need.
