SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - “They’re coming!” someone yells from among the crowd perched under the cooling branches of the trees as the faint notes of brass and drums, along with the hooting of horns and ringing of sirens crinkles the air on Saturday afternoon in downtown Summerside.
It’s a slow crawl for the 70 floats under the boil of the midday sun, which started their journey from Holland College Waterfront Campus parking lot.
Marlene Campbell, the programming coordinator of the carnival, acknowledged that Callbecks Home Hardware Building Centre is the sponsor for the 2018 edition.
“It’s called the Callbecks Home Hardware Lobster Carnival Parade,” she noted.
The annual parade is in the process of regenerating interest, and is now free to join.
Christopher Howatt said it’s the first time in 10 years he’s been to the parade.
“My grandparents and my parents use to come here, so it’s always been a big family tradition,” he motioned to his young family, and noted that work prevented them from attending in the past.
“I look forward most to seeing the marching bands, even when I was a kid I wondered how the musicians kept in step,” he added.
The floats marched to the beat of three professional bands in the lineup.
“This is our first time in the parade and we are glad to help out,” commented Jason MacLeod, the manager of the Moncton District Pipe Band. “We have around 16 pipers and drummers playing traditional Scottish parade music.”
James MacHattie, director of education at the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada, says they participate in the parade every year to give back to the community.
“Summerside has always been so supportive of what we do at the College, and of our bands, dancers and educational programs, so we want to get out and say, ‘thank you,” he said.
The Correctional Service of Canada Community Pipes and Drums travelled from Amherst, N.S., to participate for the first time in the lobster parade. The band is made up of both CSC employees and security-cleared performers.
Highlights of the parade included candy being tossed into the air towards excited children, vintage cars, mini cars, military vehicles, fire trucks and vintage fire trucks, horseback riders, a mini horse, jugglers, roller derby members, and those cruising down the route on a Segway.
The parade came to a conclusion at the Credit Union Place grounds, where people could continue on the fun activities at the 62nd Summerside Lobster Carnival.
And the winners are…
· Best overall float: Mi'kmaq Confederacy
· Most creative: Willy Wonka Jr. by Spotlight Theatre
· Blast from the past: Summerside Fire Department.
