CHESTERMERE – The country fair parade will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 17, and BMO Bank of Montreal is hoping that local kids will get on their bikes and participate rather than just watch the parade roll by.
To spice things up, there will be prizes offered for the best-dressed sets of wheels. Participants can decorate in whatever theme they choose.
BMO Mortgage Specialist and organizer Patricia Virk said that the contest is not limited to participants with bicycles.
“The theme can be anything they want, and just about anything with wheels is welcome,” she said. “We want to see people decorate wheelchairs, tricycles, strollers, scooters, anything. Be creative.”
There will be three categories for the entries: five and under, six to eight, and nine and up. There will be prizes for the top three entrants in each category, plus some honorable mentions.
Participants are asked to gather at the BMO tent at the middle school around 9 a.m. Oon the 17th. The parade will begin at 9:30, and run down West Chestermere Drive to the recreation centre.
Each child will be given a registration number and have their picture taken with their bike prior to the start of the parade.
BMO sponsored the parade of garage sales earlier this year, and Virk said that helping out with these kinds of events is their way of giving back to the community.
“It’s good to get people more involved in the community, especially kids,” she said. “It’s something for the kids to look forward to, and and opportunity for them to use their creativity to maybe win a prize.”
Virk, who lives in Chestermere, said that she hopes to see lots of people participate.
“Everyone is invited to come out and just have some fun,” she said. “We just want them to decorate their bikes as best they can, and come out and be a part of the parade.”
Virk said that the option for people to participate on their bikes is a good way for anyone who isn’t involved with a local organization, business or group to get in on the fun.
“Anyone deserves to be a part of it,” she said.
Participants who can’t make the 9 a.m. registration time can e-mail Patricia and get their registration number via e-mail. Include the child’s name and age.
“Bring your kids, register them with their bikes, help them decorate them up,” Virk said. “It gives them a chance to participate instead of stand on the sidelines and watch.”
