Preparations underway for St. Patrick's parade float

Westmount's award-winning Then and Now float, depicting historically significant landmarks in the City, will be putting in another appearance at this year's parade. It takes place on Sunday, March 16, the day before St. Patrick's Day.

On Saturday, March 15, residents are invited over to the Public Works yard to assist in decorating the float. On Sunday, a bus will be leaving from Victoria Hall at 11:15 a.m. to take people to the parade.

"But people have to register," says Virginia Elliott, the assistant community events coordinator, noting that space on the float is limited to 60 people. However, if participants want to walk beside or behind the float, space is virtually unlimited.

"We have several community groups that we are encouraging to carry their banners or to just have representatives, because the float is all about what Westmount is," adds Elliott. "So if people want to walk, they don't need a pass to get on the float."

Those riding the float will have access to refreshments and traditional shamrocks. Special volunteer positions are open to anyone who wants to assist by walking by the float's wheels to ensure safety. Volunteers will also be needed to hand out candy, although in past years local Scouts have handled that task nicely.

"It's a very long day," says Elliott, pointing out that there's always a long wait in the lineup before the float actually begins to make its way along the parade route. Anyone arriving late should easily be able to locate the Westmount float by walking along René-Lévesque Boulevard east of Guy Street.

"People have to be there before 12 o'clock, and if they want to be on the float, once the parade starts they can't get off the float." The float usually usually doesn't start moving until about 1 p.m. Should the weather be on the cool side, as it is for the parade some years, it's actually warmer walking, Elliott maintains, compared to being on the float, where riders are more exposed to the wind.

Westmount's St. Patrick's Day float is one of the few in the parade on which authentic Irish musicians will be performing on traditional instruments, including whistles, fiddles and the bodhran drum. There'll also be a vocalist, and songbooks of Irish music will be provided so others can join in. For information on obtaining passes for the float, please call the community events department at 514-925-1403.