Lack of helium can’t deflate K-days
EDMONTON — Nearing the end of Friday’s K-Days Parade, the only thing showing signs of exhaustion was the Elmo float.
Some of those responsible for guiding the Sesame Street character along 102nd Avenue were underneath the float, holding up Elmo’s torso.
Eleven inflatable floats, including the one belonging to the city, were dragged on platforms.
Northlands fairground spokeswoman Kathy Kiss said that was to avoid paying for helium and because they would be easier to manage under obstacles.
The crowd didn’t seem to mind that Elmo lost air; they stayed until the end, when cleaning trucks started rumbling down the street.
The fun kicked off at 10 a.m. with parade marshal Mayor Stephen Mandel leading the way through downtown in a white convertible. It wound down two hours later at the same time the grounds opened at Northlands.
While it was overcast, the rain held off, helping keep attendance in the tens of thousands.
Some of those standing on the sidelines came from outside Edmonton to enjoy the spectacle.
“It’s something different. We don’t have this in Yellowknife,” said Lena Cleary, who brought her two grandchildren. “This is something to see and it brings people together.”
First-time parade-goer Craig Petten of Fort McMurray said he came south to “get a taste of Edmonton. I’m amazed with all the people. We’ve seen it on TV and I said, ‘We have to check it out in person.’”
This year, Northlands rebranded the festival, changing its name from Capital Ex to K-Days, a reference to its earlier moniker, Klondike Days.