Pioneer Days Parade has 94 entries, expected to attract around 10,000 spectators

The 55th annual Pioneer Days Parade takes place this morning in Steinbach. 

This will affect some traffic moving through the city. Westbound lanes of Main Street will be blocked off to regular traffic as the 94 entries make their way from the Fire Hall toward Brandt Street and then heading north, ending at Stonebridge Crossing.

There are 94 entries this year and Dolly Fuchs expects them to be lining up between 8:30am and 9:45am. Each entry has a number to indicate where to line up. 

She will meet up with participants at the intersection of Lyndhurst Gate and Hespeler Street, helping people find their spot in the parade. 

There will be two people judging the entries. 

“We do have awards that the floats can win. There is Best Animal, Judges Choice, Best Historical, and Most Creative,” says Fuchs. “And this year, there’s actually quite a number of animal entries. We’re going to feed them in along Goosen and they’ll be periodically through the parade.” 

Fuchs anticipates the parade route will be lined with spectators for the annual tradition. 

“We often estimate there’s around 10,000 people along the parade route,” she says, adding that it is great exposure for companies and non-profit organizations, like Southeast Helping Hands. 

“FCC will be doing a Tin for the Bin, so make sure you bring a tin along, give them a tin for the bin and then get some candy.” 

She notes candy will not be tossed from floats, rather it will be handed out along the parade route. 

Fuchs expects the parade to last around an hour and a half.

-With files from Michelle Sawatzky