From Spectacular Parades to Vanished Celebrations: Remembering the Vibrant Canada Day Weekends in Paris

When I was fourteen and we first moved to Paris from Burford, I immediately realized that Paris was the place to be for Canada Day weekend. It was the summer of 1984, and the town was buzzing with excitement On that Sunday evening, July 1st, balloons, bands, and thousands of spectators filled the streets of Paris, making it one of the most memorable Canada Week parades ever.

The local newspaper described it as the biggest parade the town had ever seen. Charles Mart, chairman of Paris' Canada Week celebrations, remarked, "We almost didn't have the parade, so I think it was a reaction to almost losing the event through complacency."

Starting at Paris High School and marching along a downtown loop to the Paris Arena, the parade boasted the participation of six bands and over 60 floats and vehicles The event drew crowds from out of town, and the atmosphere was electric Mr Mart mentioned, "I have never seen such a happy parade marshal in my life as Dale Maidens."

Gwen Maidens, long-time activist in the Paris Canada Week celebrations Hands out balloons and Canadian flags to children along the route of the town’s Canada Day parade Sunday evening.

Published in the Expositor July 3, 1984