No parade this year, but not ruled out in future
By Matthew McCully
Minus the parade, this weekend’s Friendship Day in Lennoxville, now in its 34th year, will feature many of the activities enjoyed year after year by community members. Organizers are hoping for a last-minute change in the weather forecast and, fingers crossed, the green light for fireworks to end the festivities on Saturday night at the Bishop’s football field.
“The format will be relatively similar to last year,” explained Ryan Smith, head of the organizing committee for Friendship Day for the past six years.
But due to an accumulation of things, there will be no parade this year, he said.
“We won’t rule it out completely,” he said, but after cancelling the event entirely in 2020 and 2021, the committee needs to regain some stability during these rebuilding years and take stock of the resources available before considering a parade again.
“It’s a big commitment,” Smith explained, adding the road closure now involves dealing with the provincial ministry of transport, and permit requests need to be submitted much earlier.
“There are a lot of the positives in this type of format,” Smith said, reflecting on last year’s event, which saw a steady flow of visitors throughout the day rather than a big rush surrounding the parade.
The plan this year, according to Smith, is to focus on community development and highlight and promote the goings on in Lennoxville.
