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Locals line N.B streets for annual parade

Aug 16, 2016 | 7:26 AM

More than 100 floats, vehicles and horses made their way through the streets of North Battleford for the annual parade.

The parade on Monday, Aug. 15 was the kickoff for the 129th annual Northwest Territorial Days Exhibition. The 116 entries drove, marched and trotted from the Civic Centre down 101st St. and back on 102nd.

The Western Development Museum had several entries, including vintage cars and a 1928 fire truck. There was also a steam calliope from the museum, a large musical instrument in a carriage consisting of a series of steam whistles like an organ. This calliope is said to be only two of its kind in Canada and of roughly 20 known worldwide.

The Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre float showed kids dressed as health professionals and traditional First Nations dancers.

The Battlefords and Area Gender and Sexuality Alliance may have been the first LGBTQ group to walk in North Battleford. The group was decked out in rainbow gear and handed out candy. Their theme was “every body is a beach body,” meant to spread summer self-confidence.

A highlight for many tiny residents was, of course, the candy. Children, many armed with bags to carry their stashes, jumped for candy thrown from the floats.

The Northwest Territorial Days Exhibition runs Aug. 16 to Aug. 19 at the Battlefords Exhibition Grounds.

 

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.