A few hours work and a lot of creativity led to a very successful day for the Bear Lake growing project as they debuted their latest float at the June Chautauqua Day parade in Sexsmith, Alberta.
“It was an absolutely gorgeous day and there were huge crowds in attendance,” says Jeanette Beyer, who helped facilitate the group’s involvement in the parade.
“Our idea this year was to show the grain (wheat in sacks and buckets) that we harvest, and some food items (flour and bread) made from wheat. The globe and ‘Help End Global Hunger’ sign were to show that Foodgrains Bank works around the world. We also had a large ‘feather’ flag, and wore our blue ‘End Hunger’ t shirts… we had so much fun making the float.”
And it’s not the first time the group has participated in the parade, promoting the work of the Foodgrains Bank.
Jeanette and her husband Gary had always attended the local town’s fair days, usually driving their vintage truck in the parade. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Foodgrains Bank in 2023, Jeanette joined with other ladies involved in the growing project and together, they came up with the idea of entering a float into the parade.
“We used an antique combine and our vintage truck last year, and decorated them with 40th anniversary, Foodgrains Bank, and Bear Lake growing project signs,” says Jeanette, as well as yellow fringe skirting on a straw chopper, and balloons in a hopper to represent wheat.
It was a great conversation starter, and way to promote the work of the Foodgrains Bank as well as their local community’s support.
The Bear Lake growing project float had a crew of four people in the Chautauqua Day parade. One person drove the truck pulling the float, and three others walked alongside handing out candy (Photo: Supplied)
“While we were in the lineup waiting for the parade to start, we had other parade participants ask a few questions about our project,” says Jeanette.
“It will most likely become an annual event, as we’ve done it two years in a row, and are already thinking of ideas for next year!”
This story was originally published in the 2024 Fall edition of Breaking Bread.
