Miners Days parade brings smiles to crowds lining Coalhurst streets

By Lethbridge Herald on July 30, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Sibbet Coaldale mayor Jack Van Rijn waves to the crowd while riding on a vintage firetruck in the Coalhurst Miners' Day Parade on Saturday.

Justin Sibbet
Local Journalism Initiative reporter

With the RCMP leading the way, the Coalhurst Miner’s Days parade on Saturday saw thousands gather along 51st Avenue and other streets as unique vehicles rolled their way through town.

Firetrucks, old and new, were joined by various other vehicles as candy was thrown to the onlooking children.

Courtney Marshall, a Lethbridge resident from Coalhurst says she comes out the parade every year. She says there are always things to see and do during and after the parade, which is something she has always enjoyed and now her son gets to experience it as well.

“I think (my son,) Knox, always loves the firetrucks,” said Marshall. “Those are always fun for the little guys, to see the firetrucks out. The pancake breakfast is fun, the party in the park after with the fire department, (who) sets up their big fire hose and the kids run around in it like a big sprinkler. So, it’s lots of fun.”

One common theme amongst parade-watchers was the love of the candy toss. Marshall was no exception, saying most city parades no longer have candy, but Coalhurst keeps the tradition alive.

“Here, the kids get to run and get the candy and I think that’s the most exciting thing of parades for them,” said Marshall. “So, they love it.”

Lucia Prete, an 11-year-old who was out enjoyed the parade on a sunny Saturday, says her favourite part is a no-brainer.

“The candy.”

Furthermore, she says her family had to pregame a little bit, enable a complete experience on the day as a whole.

“We had to hit up the bakery.” 

Her mother, Lindsay Prete, says the parade is started and ended relatively quickly, but it is enjoyable nonetheless.

“It’s enough for the kids to have fun and the throwing of the candy, I think, excites them,” said Prete. 

She agreed with Marshall, saying the candy toss is simply becoming a thing of the past.

“They don’t do that at a lot of parades anymore,” said Prete. “I think that’s what (the kids) get ready for.”

The parade marshal was announced as Arlene Purcell, a retired high school teacher. Coalhurst mayor, Lyndsay Montina said in a press release during the announcement of Purcell as parade marshal, the town was proud to have her involved.  

““In addition to her work at the high school, she has been very involved in our community over the years, including assisting with local Remembrance Day ceremonies. The way she respects and honours our town’s past, present and future is nothing short of remarkable. She has touched the lives of many students and residents over the years and has left a lasting legacy on Coalhurst.”

A part of Purcell’s legacy was the writing of a stage play called “Firedamp”. The theatrical production was about the 1935 Coalhurst mine disaster which claimed the lives of 16 men.

A pancake breakfast was held prior to the parade and a “party in the park” took place after, complete with bouncy castles, food and more.

Coalhurst was incorporated in 1913 with this year marking the 111th anniversary of the southern Alberta town.