Parade watchers stake their claims
The Grande Parade of the Niagara Wine Festival is a thing of tradition for many thousands of people each year.
And securing a good spot with chairs and blankets, lining downtown streets as the sun slowly climbs into the sky, is a part of
the annual ritual.
For Cindy Disher and her daughter Katie, the parade meant being out on its route just after 7:30 Saturday morning.
“For 20 years we used to be up on St. Paul Street when the grandstand was up there,” said Disher who has been coming to the parade for more than 35 years.
Staking out their spot at the corner of James and Church streets, Disher said the pair were looking forward to the procession’s horses and cheerleaders.
“The fun zone is great for the kids,” she added.
She hoped for more floats, “not the truck kind, the old style floats are nicer.”
Nor far away, closer to the parade start, Ken and Jen Wirt were in their favourite spot.
Sporting a Toronto Blue Jays jersey, Ken said they pick the same spot every year.
“We get to enjoy our afternoon, it’s a bit of a zoo getting out afterward.”
While he wouldn’t miss the parade, he said he they were going to pass on Montebello Park events, saying they were more likely to watch the Jays game somewhere.
The parade went smoothly with few slow-downs, clocking in at just over an hour.
“It’s perfect, as good as ever,” said Mike Dudar with his cheese hat decorated with grapes.
“But if anything, more bands,” he said of how it could be improved. btymczyszyn@postmedia.com Twitter: @bobtym