Hometown Fair Parade Set To Go But Last Minute Entries Welcome

Smiles from last year’s parade sure to be repeated this year - Nick Murray File Photo

With the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair just a few days away the annual parade is set to go this Thursday evening at 7 pm.

Starting at the the Zellers parking lot at the Town and Country Mall the parade will head south to Saskatchewan Street East where it will go west one block to Main Street and then south down Main Street.

With construction on-going on Manitoba Street the parade may have to be one block shorter this year said George Fowler general manager of the Moose Jaw Exhibition Company.

“Normally we go to Manitoba Street but we may have to go to River Street due to the construction,” Fowler told MJ Independent.

The theme this year for the parade is Candy Land.

“We think of it as bright and colourful,” he said asking that people entering the parade keep this in mind when decorating your entry into the parade.

With between 50 and 60 entries into the parade Fowler said it was a similar amount to the numbers from last year. And despite the parade only a couple of days away he said they are more than willing to extend the deadline if someone wants to enter at the last minute.

“If someone has forgotten and missed entering we will take late entries,” he said. In order to enter late contact the Exhibition Office at 306 692-2723.

Fowler provided some tips for parade goers.

“The best spot to park yourself is on the west side of Main Street as that is the side we are coming down on,” Fowler said.

He also said with the parade lasting about an hour parade watchers may want to show up with lawn chairs to watch the parade. Other essential items include a hat and a non-alcoholic drink like water.

There may have been signs of mutiny last year but it was all about fun - Nick Murray File Photo

To enter the parade there is a $25 fee. The fee is used to offset some of the costs of professional security people who will ensure no traffic goes through the intersections as well as the insurance costs. costs which amount to $3400 to have the parade.

“Last year it was a donation to help defray the costs. This year it is a $25 fee but we are also awarding first, second and third prizes. We are not trying to make any money just trying to recover some of the costs of holding the parade.”

Professional security is a necessity due to the insurance company requirements.

“We would like to see all entrants to follow the theme and a few rules.”

The rules include no throwing candy from the vehicle due to safety reasons.

“If you want to give out candy you are going to have to have people walk alongside and give it out.” Fowler said.

Although it has not been a problem parade entrants are also asked to show respect to other entrants but just do not get to close to other entrants.

“We want to see both parade goers and those who are in the parade to have fun,” Fowler said.

He went on to say the parade is important in many ways because it helps to set the tone for the three day Moose Jaw Hometown Fair.

“We hope people come out have fun and enjoy themselves,” Fowler concluded.