Skip to content

Some changes to Pow Wow Days parade

There's energy building as the Lac La Biche Pow Wow Association gets set to unroll their plans for this year's summer event, and speaking of rolling — the event that rolls the most is using the energy and industry of the community as its theme this y
The RCMP will once again help to lead this year’s Pow Wow Days parade along Main Street

There's energy building as the Lac La Biche Pow Wow Association gets set to unroll their plans for this year's summer event, and speaking of rolling — the event that rolls the most is using the energy and industry of the community as its theme this year.

The Pow Wow Days parade rolls through downtown Lac La Biche on Friday, July 12 under the banner of "Celebrating Local Industry."

"We are such a diversified community, with Agriculture, Logging, Oil & Tourism," says this year's Pow Wow Days Parade Director Mathew Mouille. " It is only fitting that we celebrate our contributions to the local economy, despite the challenging times we are in."

This year's parade will feature many features that have kept it an integral part of the Pow Wow Days celebrations for almost 60 years. Local businesses, industry, organizations and individuals are encouraged to be creative in their float creations. Safety of course will continue to be paramount as the parade rolls through the downtown core. This year again, the parade will be marshalled by Lac La Biche Kinsmen members, helping to organize floats and maintain safety along the route.

The idea is to have fun while they work, says Lac La Biche Kinsmen Club President Gerry Webster.

"Come out and join the parade, everyone loves a parade," he said.

Mouille said the support of the Kinsmen and other volunteers during the parade, throughout the Pow Wow Days weekend — and at all community events — is what makes the community a welcoming place.

"We appreciate the Kinsmen Club, for once again helping out the Association. They are a great club that supports the Community in so many ways. It's a good community for support and we really appreciate it during our planning for the annual Pow Wow Days event," Mouille said.

Straight line

While community support, fun and floats are long-standing parts of the Pow Wow Days parade, a new piece  of the planning this year will be the route.  Organizers are straightening out the map for the parade this year, creating a staging area along Churchill Drive from the David Thompson statue to McArthur Place and a route taking the floats up 100 Street to Main Street and west to the finish at the 103 Street intersections.

Mouille said the changes were to increase safety by reducing the amount of corners the floats have to navigate.

With the plans in place, Mouille and the rest of the Pow Wow Days Association are now just waiting for more entries to 'float' in.

"This year’s theme should bring some creativity to the floats, " he said, adding that in tough economic times, the exposure for a business in the parade is a marketing opportunity, "and it is a great way to showcase your business for free."

Speaking of a free plug — Mouille is also quick to thank the event's major sponsor.

"Our major sponsor is the Lac La Biche County, and without the efforts of the County employees, we would not be able to host our summer premier event. There is so much work in setting up the parade and we thank all involved."

This year's Pow Wow Days and Fish Derby events run from July 11 to 14. A children's fish derby, an Indigenous Awareness Centre, midway rides and community fish fry events are all planned — along with some new additions like a flea market and unique entertainment.

Register

The parade entry form can be printed, completed and emailed to [email protected]  Or, parade entry forms, start times and more details about the parade and the rest of the schedule for this year's Pow Wow Days and Fish Derby events can be found by clicking HERE


Rob McKinley

About the Author: Rob McKinley

Rob has been in the media, marketing and promotion business for 30 years, working in the public sector, as well as media outlets in major metropolitan markets, smaller rural communities and Indigenous-focused settings.
Read more



push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks