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Canada Day celebrations were back in a big way for Windsor Friday with thousands of people turning out for this year’s parade.
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Organized by the Windsor Parade Corporation with the support of the federal government and Wyandotte Town Centre BIA, this year’s parade was the first since 2019 after pandemic restrictions limited festivities in 2020 and 2021.
Running along Wyandotte Street from Devonshire to Aylmer, this year’s parade featured many family favourites: the Mocha Shriners and their famous mini-bikes and huge inflatable cartoon characters — Kung-Fu Panda and Big Bird — as well as a giant version of Canada’s beloved national rodent, the beaver.
Attendees got to enjoy a variety of live bands, including several pipe bands that were crowd favourites. Appearances by Sonic the Hedgehog, Frozen’s Elsa, and The Little Mermaid’s Ariel were huge hits with kids.
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New this year were several fun zones — stations along the parade route offering free activities for families.
Families decked out in red and white and clutching Canadian flags started gathering along the parade route early, and by the 11 a.m. start time, people were lined up three- and four-deep along the sidewalks. Enthusiastically waving the Maple Leaf, parade lovers filled Wyandotte Street, and treats from freezies and bubble gum were popular with kids, while free cupcakes supplied by Blimey’s British Store were available at participating businesses along the parade route.
It was a different Canada Day route for Windsor. The 2019 parade ran down Ouellette Avenue and through the downtown. Last year, the parade corporation held a virtual Canada Day celebration streamed on YouTube.
