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This year's Cochrane Labour Day parade promises to be one of the largest in Alberta. Last year's parade attracted more than 10,000 people, including a large number from outside the town.

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Organizers say Cochrane Labour Day parade on track

Plans are underway for the 44th annual Cochrane Labour Day parade, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 3.

With 105 entries, including 20 floats, this year’s parade promises to be one of the largest in Alberta.

“We’re pretty happy with how things have progressed,” said Brooks Tower, chair of the parade committee. “We’re sitting at 105 entries, which puts us above big parade like K-Days up in Edmonton.”

Last year’s parade attracted more than 10,000 people, making it Cochrane’s biggest single-day event, according to Tower.

The 3.4-kilometre parade will leave from the old Burnco site on River Ave. and go north to First Street. It will then turn south on Fourth Ave., turn east on Railway St., south on Charlesworth Ave., east on Griffin Road, and finally south on River Ave., ending at the Burnco site.

Tower said parade entries are ahead of schedule when compared to previous years.

“We’re slightly ahead of pace, but what has us excited is the quality of entries we’re getting,” said Tower. “I can’t tell you how excited this makes us.”

Parade organizers have had entries from as far as Kimberley, B.C., Vulcan and Red Deer. They have also received 20 entries from local businesses, a number larger last year’s commercial entries.

Support from the business community has also been outstanding, Tower said.

“Without the support of local and regional business there wouldn't be a parade,” said Tower, adding this year’s title sponsor is the Community of Riversong.

Other supporters include Cochrane IGA, which has donated the supplies for the post-parade luncheon, and Shell Jumping Pound, a company that has supported the parade for years, according to Tower.

Tower said entries, as well as volunteer opportunities for parade day, are still being accepted.

Last year’s Labour Day parade attracted more than 10,000 spectators, including between 3,000 and 4,000 people from areas outside of Cochrane.

Tower said regional support for the parade is a large reason behind its success.

“Sometimes I wish that 44 years ago the founders had called this the Cochrane and Area Labor Day parade, because a huge number of our entries come from outside Cochrane,” he said. “We’d be a much poorer parade without the support of the region.”

For more information about the parade or to register, visit www.cochraneparade.com or call Tower at 403-542-5538.