The event that has kicked-off the 60-year tradition of what is now the Lac La Biche Summer Days celebrations will take a few new turns this year.
Like all recent visitors to the community, Friday morning’s Summer Days Parade has had to detour around the construction and expansion projects taking place in downtown Lac La Biche.
“It’s a different route since the downtown is mostly closed to traffic — but there’s still lots of great places for people to sit and watch as the floats go by,” says Lac La Biche Summer Days parade planner Karen Lewiski.
For a full schedule of the Summer Days events, go to www.lakelandtoday.ca
The new route sees parade entries gather near the David Thompson statue on Churchill Drive. As floats are organized, the formal start line will be at the Lac La Biche Legion. From there, the route heads east towards McArthur Place, turning north on 100 Street for two full blocks before connecting with Main Street and making a left turn, finishing two blocks later, past the Parkland Motel.
In past years, the parade routes have started on Churchill Drive, but moved up to Main Street and then westward along the downtown corridor. The first phase of a three-year $31.5 million utility upgrade and surface improvement project has blocked half of that route.
“It has quite literally been a work-around, but I think we’ve got a route that people will like,” said Lewiski, adding with a laugh that mixing things up a bit can be good sometimes. “There’s nothing wrong with a bit of change to keep it fresh.”
Organizers are hoping to see some fresh entries in this year’s parade along with many returning participants. Lewiski is expecting a good turnout this year.
“I really think people want to come out and have a good, community event. We’ve always had great community and business support, and I don’t think a little detour is going to change that direction too much.”
The Lac La Biche Summer Days Parade starts at 11 am. With no formal registration this year, organizers encourage participants to arrive early to find a space in the line-up.
Lac La Biche Kinsmen Club members will be acting as marshals along the parade route and prior to the start.
