Countdown is on
Lobster Carnival Parade drawing crowds of participants
With only a handful of days left before the 62nd annual Lobster Carnival, participants are still coming forward for the event’s popular parade on July 14. “There are over 60 participants right now and groups are still entering,” said Marlene Campbell, one of the carnival’s organizers from Culture Summerside. “We’re expecting people to continue to enter up until the day of the event. The parade begins at 12 p.m. so entrants can continue to come forward until 11:30 a.m.” Campbell says last year’s event was a success and is hoping for the same turnout this year. “The weather always has a big impact and last year was a beautiful day. We’ve also gotten rid of the entry fee and I think that’s helped get people interested in participating. There isn’t any theme either, so people can go in whatever creative direction they want… provided it’s family oriented,” she said with a chuckle. This year the event has been moved to a Saturday afternoon, hopefully allowing more people to get to the event and to allow businesses a better day to enter. “The parade is something for everybody, so by moving it to the Saturday, we’re hoping more people will be able to come out to the event.” Callbecks Home Hardware Building Centre is the sponsor of the 2018 edition. “People used to take a lot of pride in the parade and the floats that were entered. We’re hoping by providing sponsorship it has helped to spark interest,” said Duane MacDonald, manager of Callbecks. “When we were approached to sponsor an event, it was a no brainer. We’re really excited to be a part of it. Our staff has put a lot of work into our float.” Parade attendees can also see several bands performing in the parade, including the Moncton District Pipe Band and the Correctional Service of Canada Community Pipes and Drums from Amherst, N.S. The hometown band, the College of Piping Pipe Band, will make its appearance as well. The George R. Pearkes Branch 5 Summerside Legion will have some seating in tents in front of the legion on Notre Dame Street for nursing care residents to view the parade. Parade participants are expected to be arranged in parade order at 11:30 a.m. at the Holland College Waterfront Campus Saturday. The event kicks off at 12 p.m. making its way down Heather Moyse Drive, up Queen Street onto Water Street, then onto Granville Street and then left on Notre Dame Street to its end point at Credit Union Place grounds. During the parade the travelling public will not be able to park on the parade route until the event is over. Any vehicles parked in the route areas will be towed. To enter a float in the parade, go to www.summersidelobstercarnival.website.