Magrath Days - Part 2

Watching the parade is truly one of the highlights of the day. The R.C.M.P. always leads the way, followed by our award-winning high school band, The Spirit of Alberta, complete with bagpipes and a colour guard. They are followed by floats of every shape and size -- each family reunion has one, as does each class reunion. Churches and businesses in town are also represented. Candy is thrown to the children from almost every float. One of my children says, “This is almost as good as Halloween!” The best years are when the organizers decide that the parade just won’t be long enough the way it is. On those years the parade passes down Main Street, does a u-turn at the corner of the post office and the Trading Company and goes back the way it came. Those years we get to see the parade twice.

All afternoon there are activities to appeal to every age group. The talent show is a wonderful way to see some of the up and coming talent and become reacquainted with our old favourites. The highland dancers give a rousing performance, a reunited garage band brings back memories, and cloggers tap their way across the stage. We respond with lots of laughter and applause.

The softball tournament has been going since Thursday evening and tension is high as everyone wonders who will emerge the victor. The crack of the bat rings through the hot summer air as everyone cheers for their family. We know that whoever wins, everyone had a good time.

Then there are the lawnmower races, an event that must be seen. When the ride-on mowers are lined up and ready to go, the signal is given. Participants must maneuvre their machines around obstacles and beat the others back to the starting line. The dust flies as one tractor does a wheelie and another takes a corner on two wheels. We cheer for our favorite as if this were the Olympics.