There was no threat made to any float for this year’s Christmas on the LaHave parade. A notice indicates the parade route would be extended to Maple Street and the York-Alexandra intersection. It’s a space where people can get off their floats safely or load ATVs onto vehicles. Parade Marshal Bill McInnis says the notice provides people with information. He says, “We are forced to enforce the Motor Vehicle Act. If you’re going to be driving around town on an ATV that’s not a parade route, you have the possibility of being fined.” The Shore Riders ATV club pulled out of the parade, saying a permit or escort could have been provided to travel back to the NSCC. The event goes Saturday evening in Bridgewater. The notice, given to all float operators, is listed here:
Something ‘NEW’ this year that is important for you and your float.
The Parade Route starts at the NSCC goes down High St. where it will turn onto Empire St., go down to King St. where it will turn right and go down past the South Parkade on King St.
NEW this year is that the parade route has been extended down King St. to Maple St. as well as up Dufferin to the lights at York/Alexandra. The reason for extending the route is to permit your float to stop and have any individuals riding on your float to get off safely. There is a parking lot at the corner of King and Maple where you can do that and you may also stop on Dufferin between King and Alexandra Ave. to remove anyone who is riding on your float. It would probably be easier for the larger flatbed floats to go up Dufferin to unload their people.
It is most important to note that you are permitted to have individuals riding on your float while on the Parade Route but once you leave the Parade Route you are not permitted to have anyone riding on your float. Indeed it is an offense under the Motor Vehicle Act and thus our Police Department will have no alternative but to charge anyone who is not on the Parade Route with individuals on their float.
The same applies for all terrain vehicles, trail bikes or what have you. They will not be allowed to operate on a street unless it is on the Parade Route. And yes they will also be charged under the Motor Vehicle Act if they are operating on a street that is not the Parade Route.
