Duane Hicks
Although the snow didn’t fall until afterwards, it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas here Saturday during the 52nd-annual “Parade of Lights.”
This year’s parade, organized and sponsored by Causeway General Insurance Brokers Ltd. for the first time, saw about 30 floats which were watched by an uninterrupted throng of people young—and young at heart—who lined the route.
Co-organizer Brenda Kellar was “very happy with how things went.”
“People seemed very co-operative,” she noted. “And one big thing . . . was there was no break in the parade, which is really good.
“I think people enjoy that instead of waiting and waiting for the next one [float] to come along,” Kellar remarked.
“I think it was excellent,” agreed Pam Buttner.
“Things looked great, everybody was real excited. There was a big turnout from the town,” she noted, adding there also were plenty of volunteers.
“It was absolutely wonderful. Even Mother Nature co-operated,” echoed Robin Payeur.
“We’re absolutely thrilled. The turnout was fantastic.
“That’s the way our area has always been,” she added. “When something comes up, everybody steps up and shows up, and that’s something we can always be proud of in Rainy River District.”
Both Kellar and Buttner said they would have liked to hear more music, specifically Christmas tunes, coming from the floats, and hope to see more of that from participants next year.
The lineup started up at 3 p.m. at the old CN station. Hot chocolate and coffee were available there before the parade, courtesy of Gano Excel Canada rep Lori Delbo.
Judging took place at 4 p.m. Prizes were awarded in five categories, with the winners being:
•Best recreational group float ($75)—Novice girls’ hockey,
•Best business float ($75)—Boston Pizza;
•Best non-profit organization float ($75)—Rainy Lake Conservancy;
•Best church or school group float ($75)—St. Mary’s Youth Group; and
•Best decorated individual ($25)—Voyageur Lion Mike Tullio.
The parade then got underway at 5 p.m. The route ran south on Central Avenue, turned east onto Scott Street, and proceeded through the downtown area to the Memorial Sports Centre.
Canada Post once again had its mail truck out and postal carriers collected children’s letters to Santa during the parade. As well, B93•FM was collecting non-perishable food items and cash for the local Salvation Army’s food bank.
As mentioned, plenty of volunteers helped out with the parade, including the Fort Frances Lakers, who also entered a float.
In related news, the Fort Frances Museum, which held cookie-decorating for kids on Saturday, will be the site of the BIA’s annual “Cookies and Cocoa with Santa” this Saturday (Dec. 5) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
