A parade for seniors' homes residents is back this year, hoping to be bigger than ever. Pictured is the Dunmore Equestrian float from last year's event.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
Joyce Stuber, member of the board for the Dunmore Equestrian Centre, is organizing a parade for four senior homes in Medicine Hat on July 27.
This year the parade will be held the day before the Medicine Hat Stampede & Exhibition holds its city parade, hoping she’d be able to get a few floats and entries joining the Senior Parade.
The idea came about due to Nicole Stroh, recreation therapist at South Country Village, who has been organizing a small parade in and around the parking lot since 1990. Bringing this event to senior homes provides an opportunity to the seniors residing there and was an idea that evolved for Stuber.
In 2021, Stuber and Stroh organized a parade for South Country Village and Masterpiece Southland Meadows but wanted to do more and go bigger for 2022.
The parade will travel between each of the four homes and last about 20 minutes at each one. The schedule is 10 a.m. at South Country Village, 11 a.m. at Cypress View Foundation, a break because seniors lunch at noon, 1 p.m. at Chinook Village and 2 p.m. at Masterpiece Southland Meadows.
Due to streets and parking, Stuber is anticipating South Country Village and Masterpiece parade to be a bit of a larger. It’s uncertain how many animals can get to the smaller ones, especially Chinook Village as it is so busy on 13th Avenue. Doing the parade, loading the animals back up and moving to the next centre will be the greatest challenge of the day.
“We have antique cars from the MH Car Club, an RCMP dressed up in Red Serge, Highland dancers, the 2021 Little Sweetheart from Dunmore Equestrian riding a horse, antique tractor pulling a wagon, and lots of advertising for seniors, such as Adapt Mobility, 20/20 Mobile Eye Care and HALO,” stated Stuber. She is still hoping to get an antique firetruck, some floats and a few more entries.
If anyone would like to join the parade, text, or call Joyce Stuber on 403-528-0725.
