Canal Fest Parade: Ponchos Required!

July 23rd, 2009 at 7:09 am by Jacquie Walker under Jacquie Walker's Newsroom Notebook

The phrase “rain or shine” is on everyone’s lips during this summer of 2009.  So it was Tuesday night for the 27th Annual Canal Fest Parade that marched from the City of Tonawanda into the City of North Tonawanda.  This is a huge tradition in the Tonawandas and, as the News Four crew learned Tuesday night, a little rain – or even a LOT of rain will not keep Tonawandans from watching their parade.  As Parade Chairman Joe Boccolucci told me, he had only five units cancel and “if you look at the sidewalks, they’re full of people watching.”  Joe was right. For their resilience on a rainy July night, I salute the friendly folks in the Tonawandas.

A parade's-eye view of Main Street during the parade.  That's Meteorologist Don Paul in the red car in front of me under the black and white umbrella.

A parade's-eye view of Main Street during the parade. That's Meteorologist Don Paul in the red car in front of me under the black and white umbrella.

Smiling through the rain.  This parade is a big draw for families. Parents who watched the parade as children are now bringing their own little ones.

Smiling through the rain. This parade is a big draw for families. Parents who watched the parade as children are now bringing their own little ones.

Smiling through the rain.  This parade is a big draw for families. Parents who watched the parade as children are now bringing their own little ones.

Canal Fest draws big crowds so the Marines are on hand for recruiting….

….and so is the Air Force.

….and so is the Air Force.

It's become a News Four tradition.  This gentleman from the Salem Church in the City of Tonawanda is always kind enough to deliver dessert to us on the parade route!

It's become a News Four tradition. This gentleman from the Salem Church in the City of Tonawanda is always kind enough to deliver dessert to us on the parade route!

This is North Tonawanda resident Julie Klahn (with the tan purse) and her enthusiastic friends who formed a cheering section.  Cheers to Julie, too!

This is North Tonawanda resident Julie Klahn (with the tan purse) and her enthusiastic friends who formed a cheering section. Cheers to Julie, too!

With some good-natured ribbing along the way, Meteorologist Don Paul smiled during the rainy ride.  And, note the top on this convertible (supplied by Don Davis Auto World) was DOWN for much of the parade.

With some good-natured ribbing along the way, Meteorologist Don Paul smiled during the rainy ride. And, note the top on this convertible (supplied by Don Davis Auto World) was DOWN for much of the parade.

Permalink 2 Comments

2 Responses to “Canal Fest Parade: Ponchos Required!”

  1. Mrs. Minotti says:
    July 25, 2009 at 10:49 am

    My husband & I went on the morning that it did not rain-Lucky us!
    We had a yummy cheeseburger from the Knights of Columbus tent and some corn on the cob! And we couldn’t pass up the deal on the cute T-shirt & hat! The T-shirt is a good reminder of the time we had & the history of how the Erie Canal came to be(w/donkey pulling boat along canal).

  2. cars says:
    September 26, 2009 at 8:16 am

    Good information on cars
    Thanks for sharing this information,

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