Rose Festival seeking parade floats, vendors
Welland Rose Festival chair Jeff Ward says the grande parade set for June 19 is “going to be great,” but is in need of floats and more entries.
He said about 40 groups had signed up to march in the parade, but he’s hoping a former tradition of several floats being part of it can make a return, similar to when a local snowmobile club, as well as service clubs, used to put plenty of effort into them.
“Over the years, floats have been gone,” said Ward.
“We haven’t had any body building floats like that in a long time,” he added.
On Friday he said only two floats had been confirmed, one of them entered by Rose City Kids.
He wants to make people aware that the festival has $6,000 in prize money to hand out to the top three floats. First place will take home $3,000, second place gets $2,000.
“Anybody building a float is eligible to win,” he said.
The parade theme is roses and poppies. Anyone celebrating a 50th or 100th milestone or birthday are encouraged to participate, said Ward.
The festival, in its 60th year, is also in need of craft vendors to set up at Merritt Park. For $150, merchants can secure a spot for June 17 to 19.
The festival plans to acknowledge and honour Niagara’s doctors, nurses and first responders who have worked in the ongoing pandemic.
The grande parade will take place Sunday, June 19, starting at Welland Main Arena on King Street. It will travel to East Main Street and end at Hellems Avenue. The Howling Horns will take the stage at Merritt Park Amphitheatre following the parade.
For more information about registering a float or to set up as a craft vendor, contact Welland Rose Festival at 905-732-7673 or info@wellandrosefestival.on.net.