Rain can’t dampen spirits at Whoop-Up Days parade

By Lethbridge Herald on August 22, 2023.

Peak Elite Cheerleading members showcase their skills Tuesday morning during the Whoop-Up Days parade along 3 Avenue South. Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Hundreds braved inclement weather Tuesday morning to enjoy the Whoop-Up Days parade, with many families upholding their yearly tradition despite the rain. 

Just before the parade started, as a little drizzle fell, Lethbridge and District Exhibition CEO Mike Warkentin, spoke to media at the staging grounds behind Park Place Mall and said that rain seems to be part of Whoop-Up Days, and it wasn’t enough to dampen spirits.

“This is now my fifth Whoop-Up Days and if I’ve learned one thing, we are going to get rain during Whoop-Up Days and if it’s going to rain, this is the perfect time,” said Warkentin.

He said he was hopeful the skies were going to open up in perfect timing to kick off the parade and kick off the fair. 

“We’re OK with a little rain right now. We cannot wait to welcome everyone to the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre and into the Whoop-Up Days grounds,” said Warkentin as parade participants got their floats ready, enjoyed a pancake breakfast and listened to live music.

As he spoke, hundreds of people were setting up folding chairs, canopy shelters, blankets or simply sitting on the edge of the downtown sidewalks, while one person was making grilled cheese sandwiches for his daughters on the sidewalk, taking advantage of having his camping gear with them. 

Attendee and griller, Samuel Yamamoto said this year was his first time watching the parade in almost a decade and he decided to make breakfast for his daughters. 

“We had our camping gear out and so I thought we’d come to the Whoop-Up Days parade and use some of our camping gear to just kind of have breakfast here,” said Yamamoto. 

He said he hopes to make this a family tradition since they were enjoying it so much despite the weather. Yamamoto added that he will be taking his daughters to the grounds to take advantage of the free admission. 

“I’m going to go in and enjoy the carnival food while my girls enjoy the rides,” said Yamamoto. 

While Yamamoto was creating new family traditions, Liz Kerner was enjoying a family tradition that has been taking place for multiple generations. 

“We come to the Lethbridge parade every single year, rain or shine we come as a family. I was born here, and we make sure to come as a family, it is a family tradition. This is my great grandson, so that would be the four generations of coming down to parade rain or shine,” said Kerner. 

While the rain did eventually let up, it wasn’t until well into the parade before the skies began clearing. 

By the time the parade made its way to the north end of the city, 13 Street was lined by dozens of children attending with summer programs along with families and other members of the community. 

The atmosphere was loud with children screaming for candy and cheering on parade floats, especially when Mario Kart characters Luigi, Mario and Yoshi riding lawnmowers came through giving children high fives.