A brainstorming session last October involving 24 passionate Cranbrook citizens helped to select the 2016 theme for the Sam Steele Days Parade.

City of Cranbrook Councillor Wes Graham is credited with the tag line “Salute the Boots” when the majority agreed the focus would be on honouring those who serve and protect. The inspiration came from watching our veterans proudly march in their colour party in the parade year after year.

Boot stompin’ fun is for everyone!

Any business, club or organization will find value in parade participation at only $25 to enter a decorated vehicle, walking/riding group or individual dressed in character. Attendees are estimated to be a thick 10,000 along the parade route in the city’s downtown core.

Parade applications are available to download from the official Sam Steele Days website or you can call (250) 426-4161 to request one. The parade takes place on Saturday, June 18 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Deadline to enter is June 10.

“Fort Steele Heritage Town is thrilled to welcome back the Steele Scouts during Sam Steele Days,” says administration manager Kathy Allison. The Steele Scouts were in Cranbrook for the festival’s 50th celebration in 2014.

“They will be joining us in the parade and then returning to the Fort to help us celebrate our opening weekend for the summer,” Allison said.

Rumour has it that Sir Sam Steele himself will be represented by their heritage theatre performers … watch for him!

Last year’s event, with 106 entries, received an incredible amount of positive feedback from both local and non-local entrants, participants and media. The Cranbrook Violin Club, overall winner for the best entry (pictured above), with their mobile pirate ship and talented young musicians playing excerpts of a theme from a popular pirate movie, won $250.

The 2015 City of Cranbrook float, celebrating 50 Years of Heart in recognition of Cranbrook’s Sweetheart Youth Ambassador Program, went on to take first place for best municipal float in the Calgary Stampede parade in July – a true reflection of the ‘Mountains of Opportunity’ in Cranbrook.

There are $1,300 in cash prizes and 16 ribbons available to be won in a variety of categories. The Sam Steele Society is grateful to St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino for their loyal sponsorship of the parade for 10 years.

All entry fees and sponsor funds go towards prizes and costs related to the parade. Cranbrook Rotary and Lions Club volunteers play a crucial role in facilitation of the event. “We simply couldn’t do it without them,” says Sam Steele Society President Christy Wheeldon. This year Alliance Traffic Group Inc. has generously stepped in to play a professional role in assisting with the safety and flow of the parade line up and central fairgrounds. Yes! It’s getting THAT BIG!

The Sam Steele Society is a volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting everything about Cranbrook. Its mission: to organize and work cooperatively with all sectors of the community in providing a festival that honours our regional history, promotes family and unity, gives opportunities for skills and leadership development and volunteerism and create a source of community pride.

Sam Steele Society

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