By Steve Hubrecht
Get ready for a blast of Christmas cheer in Canal Flats.
The village will welcome the festive season soon with its second annual Christmas Kick-off parade on Sunday, Dec. 1. And, when organizers say they want to ring in the holidays, they mean it quite literally — two of the parade’s organizers carried 25-pound bells through the streets of Canal Flats last year, and they plan to do so again this year.
Canal Flats residents Heidi and Sjac Pronk came up with the idea for a Christmas parade in early December in the village, inspired in part by Heidi’s childhood in Switzerland, where it is not uncommon for smaller villages to hold such events, with villagers marching through town carrying bells or candles.
The Pronks gathered a few like-minded individuals, set about organizing, and the Canal Flats Christmas Kick-off was born. The first parade went over well last year, despite truly wintery conditions.
“It was right in the middle of a blizzard. So it was certainly pretty,” co-organizer Monique Kruk told the Pioneer.
The parade featured a half dozen floats, side-by-sides, and fire trucks, as well as plenty of enthusiastic onlookers; an excellent response, considering it was a brand new event held in driving snow. “It was a big success,” said Kruk.
Organizers decided to make it annual, setting it for the first Sunday in December. They’re hoping for a better turnout this year.
The parade will start at 5 p.m. at Martin Morigeau Elementary School, head along Grainger Road to Burns Avenue, then up Dunn Street, ending at the Canal Flats Civic Centre.
All are encouraged to join the fun!
FILE PHOTO
FILE PHOTO
