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Canada Day celebrations returned to Windsor on Friday with thousands turning out for this year’s parade.
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Organized by the Windsor Parade Corporation with support from the federal government and Wyandotte Town Center 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 — plus a giant version of Canada’s national rodent beloved, the beaver.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of live bands, including several pipe bands that were crowd favorites. Appearances by Sonic the Hedgehog, Elsa from Frozen and Ariel from The Little Mermaid were a huge hit with the kids.
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New this year were several fun zones – stations along the parade route offering free activities for families.
Families dressed in red and white and waving Canadian flags began gathering along the parade route early, and by 11 a.m. people were lined three or four deep along the sidewalks. Excitedly waving the maple leaf, parade-goers filled Wyandotte Street, and treats of freezies and chewing gum were popular with children, while free cupcakes provided by Blimey’s British Store were available in participating companies along the parade route.
It was a different itinerary for Canada Day in Windsor. The 2019 parade traveled along Ouellette Avenue and downtown. Last year, the parade corporation hosted a virtual Canada Day celebration streamed on YouTube.
