Steeped in tradition, the 83rd Elks May Day Parade will be held Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. at the Coliseum downtown with the Legion Pipe Band leading off the event.
There will be 35 to 40 participants ranging from kids on their decorated bikes, to girl guide groups, floats, Old Time Fiddlers and marching bands.
The parade procession will head west down Seventh Avenue and pass through the Civic Centre Plaza and Ninth Avenue. It will turn right onto Victoria Street and proceed north to Third Avenue and east to George Street and back to the Coliseum.
New this year is the Shriner's, who will be participating in their brand new bus.
Nancie Krushelnicki one of the organizers of the event said the Elks are hoping to enter into a full partnership with the Shriner's and make it the Elks Shriner's May Day Parade in the future but that's still in the works.
People can be on the look out for clowns and the Red Hat Ladies and the Royal Purple but don't expect a May Queen this year. The Queen used to be chosen from a group of elementary school students and from those the queen and her two princesses's names were drawn from a hat. Krushelnicki said there was a lack of registrants this year.
Also watch for the Farmers' Market float and the CNC Dental Students.
"It's great to see the community spirit during the parade," said Krushelnicki. "It's a great event for the whole family."
