by Dr. Jo-Anne Bell, 2019 Rotary Canada Day Parade Chair
On behalf of the Kemptville Rotary Club, I want to extend a sincere thank you to all the participants in this year’s parade, our parade marshals, the Rotarians and friends stage managing and those who came out to watch and cheer as we went by! It was hot but no rain! The parade theme for the 2019 celebration of Canada’s Confederation was “Celebrating Canada – Our Home”, and I hope that everyone involved will have fond memories of how they spent Canada Day 2019! Rotarian Anna Van Adrichem Rochon was our photographer and she has compiled an array of photos which can be found at youtu.be/VnfkGJg02NY.
As the Parade Chair, I would also like to extend a huge thank you to our fabulous Parade Marshals, Norma Fisher, driven by Howard Wilson aboard his 1914 Fire Truck. Our Town Crier, Deron Johnson, announced the imminent start of the parade for the gathered crowds, complete with police escort!
The Legion Pipe and Drum Band with flag bearer provided our pace, and the Shriners put smiles on all the faces. We were glad it wasn’t so hot that the numerous vintage and specialist vehicles could run in relative comfort. It was lovely to see the municipality’s newest Mayor driven by our first Mayor, and accompanied by the Municipal Council. It was also great to see new entries, such as the North Grenville Times news carriers and the Grenville Co. Plowmen’s Association. Each of the businesses who decorated a duck decoy for the Rotary Duck Decoy Challenge contributed to an impressive float.
Remember for next year that entrants in the Rotary Decoy Duck Challenge are invited to “walk with your duck” in the parade!
Planning has already started for next year, and we hope you will celebrate with us on July 1, 2020.
