One of the highlights of summer is the good old-fashioned parade, and this year Drumheller has something to celebrate.
Last week the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce donated $1,650 in support of the float that will be entered in the Calgary Stampede parade to spread the word of Drumheller's mining history to a broad audience. These funds are for logistics and accommodations for the volunteers who will showcase the valley in the parade.
The float will feature coal carts made at the Drumheller Institution specially built to roll on road where they will be pulled by local ponies. They will also have volunteers marching and pushing rebuilt wheelbarrows from the days of mining.
It is hoped the float will ignite new interest in Drumheller.
“There is nothing more compelling than a pony and coal cart, it’s iconic,” said Linda Digby of the Atlas Coal Mine.
Drumheller will also be celebrating the centennial year of coal mining at its own Canada Day Parade. The theme for this year’s parade is Celebrating the Valley’s Coal Mining Centennial.
Chamber assistant Roxanne Clark said many mine families are celebrating their heritage and the special year in Drumheller history by participating in the Canada Day Parade.
She emphasizes that anyone wanting to participate needs to register to help with planning.
Registration only takes seconds and the forms can be downloaded at www.drumhellerchamber.com, or potential participants can drop by the office to pick one up.
For more information contact Clark at 403-823-8100.
