For the first time in history, the Battleford Parade has been officially cancelled, after heavy rains put a damper on festivities July 16.
"It's a tough decision," said Mayor Chris Odishaw at the regular town council meeting July 19.
Council discussed rescheduling the parade, but eventually decided against it for a number of reasons. There are a limited number of weekends in the summer, making it difficult not to wind up competing with another event. Also, certain corporations organize company floats that travel throughout the province; these floats are booked well in advance and would be difficult to rebook. Other companies set aside a budget for the parade, and would be unable to spend the time or money rebuilding the floats damaged in the heavy rainfall.
"A lot of people, a lot of businesses, a lot of volunteers put a lot of work into those floats, unfortunately the weather destroyed most of them," said Odishaw. "Their input is that it's just way too much work."
The fireworks, purchased entirely with donations from the community, were another issue. Council tossed around several ideas, including selling the fireworks and using the money to pay for next year's parade fireworks or doubling up on fireworks for Bridgefest, but eventually decided to add a bang to the third annual Cowboy Christmas parade, which is hosted by the Battlefords Quarter Horse Club Nov. 13.
"That will be something new and exciting," said Odishaw, adding he thinks it will be the first time for fireworks so late in the year.
Council also decided to take part in the Northwest Territorial Days parade.
"We had a great float, we're going to rebuild it and we're going to go into the parade on August 16," said Odishaw.
Although many floats, including the Town's float, didn't survive the rain unscathed, not all was lost, as judging was completed before the downpour.
In the classic auto category, Pat Hutchison took first, Ray Berthelot second, and Rose Hirschfeld third. For antique autos, Jon and Arlene Rowlands took first, and the Western Development Museum took second and third for their 1929 Buick Master Sedan and 1924 McLaughlin, respectively.
In the local commercial category, Figures came first, followed by Eiling Kramer Campground in second, which were the only two entries in that category. For non-local commercial, first, second and third went to Frontier Mall Merchants, Battlefords Co-op and Wild Child, respectively.
For non-commercial, first, second and third place went to the Red Hat Society, Svoboda Dancers and Battleford Historic Lions Club in the local category and Battlefords Food & Resource Centre, Battlefords Agricultural Society and Saskatchewan Hospital in the non-local category.
There was a lot of horsing around too - the Fred Light Museum was first, Ken and Arlene Schwab second, and Roy and Bev Tornberg third in the Wagon/Buggy category. The Riders category saw the Swiftmount Lighthorse 4-H club come in first, the Round Hill Riders 4-H Club in second, and third place was given to Chris Hayward and Duane Doud.
The last two categories were Provincial/National organizations, in which Fort Battleford came in first and Service Canada Centre for Youth second, and Youth organizations, in which the Battleford Tot Lot was first and Beavers, Cubs & Scouts second.
