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Parades,Processions, Marches, Pilgrimages.....
This holiday is known for its Processions. These events having both a religious flavor and an ancient tradition are as much Pilgrimages for the participants as they are Marches. The procession is a symbol of solidarity and an oportuntiy to compose a masterpiece in the genre of Spectacle. Today in the United States the parade is truly an art form. Click here for more. For parade dates click here |
Parades as Cultural
Artifacts
Few observers think at all of the original signficance for example
of the St. Patrick's Day Parade which was orignially conceived to demonstrate
Irish dominance of the cities and to remind citizens of Irish might. Instead
groups from all over from all\ backgrounds come together to be creative-
to play their best to march their best and to create masterpieces of design.
We all love a parade as the saying goes!
The wonderful thing about a Parade is the many dimensions possible for its enjoyment and participation. Just as in the Holiday itself there are many dimensions which can be celebrated-the Progress of Democracy the Salvation from Tyrany the skills of Generals the Sacrifice of Lives....One can appreciate and enjoy a parade for a multitude of reasons-A chance to be outdoors, the beauty of live music, the patterns formed by marchers and the activities of performers. We need not all agree as to our reason for being there or for appreciating and enjoying the event. As such parades are great Democratic cultural masterpieces-for everyone!
Parades are also public events- every where there is a public right of way there should be a parade. Parades are open for all to see and celebrate our freedom to gather and travel as we wish. Everyone can arrange for the streets to be their "own" for a day.
What? There is a Parade you do not like?- Well then perhaps you are not looking hard enough for something to enjoy?-the fresh air the music etc... But then even if you can't find something interesting the other good thing about parades is that although they are impressive they are soon over-so relax let it pass with the assurance that many things pass by on the city streets with the same freedom and that no mater what you think a parade is not the most offensive or ugly thing you will see pass by on that street!
All too often those writing about the Parades and Marches of the Orangemen have done so with little knowledge of the tradition itself or with an axe to grind or both. Here I provide you with a direct link to the Orange Order itself-Go to the Source!-Their traditions are ancient and respectable-they have many good reasons to march and we should be able to appreciate these customs!
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1999 Parades and Events!
Send me an email to have your event for 1999 Listed! Cl;ick Here For a list of parades click here |
PARADES:
Toronto, Ontario
July
10th
Blackstock, Ontario
July
12th
Port Perry, Ontario
July
17th
PICNICS:
Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia July 11th
Megantic, Quebec
July
11th
For further info on the Toronto Parade phone John
Wells at
1-905-683-1050 or Joe Kennedy at 1-416-690-0038
The Toronto Parade will assemble at Queen's Park
(Ontario Legislature)
by 11:30 a.m. for departure at 12:00 noon sharp.
Route: East on
Wellesley Street, South on Yonge Street, East on
Adelaide Street into
St. James Park . A brief service and the laying of
wreaths will take
place at the Cenotaph (Old City Hall) at 10:00 a.m.
prior to the
parade.
The Orange Heritage Parade in Port Perry will assemble
and disburse at
the Park at the foot of Queen Street (on the Lake).
Starting time is
1:30 p.m.
For further info on the Port Perry Parade see the Home
Page of an
Orange Lodge in Ontario: site of the Centennial Loyal
Orange Lodge
which is one of the links on the Home Page of this
List
(http://members.tripod.com/~firstlight_2/canorange.htm
) and then go
to the section on "All about our Parade".
For info on other parades or planned Orange events in
Ontario and
across Canada you may contact Canadian Orange
Headquarters at their
Toll Free Telephone Number which is:
1-800-565-6248
and ask to speak to the Secretary of the Orange
Association of Canada,
Norman Ritchie. He works part-time and is there on
Tuesday's and
Thursday's normally.
Many of the Lodges are also having their own
celebrations at their
Orange Halls like Orillia, Ontario which is having a
supper on the
11th of July and North Sydney, Nova Scotia where the
members are
meeting at the Hall in the morning of July 12th.
(source: can-orange list- click
here to go to their web page.
Ecum Secum
There will be an Orange Picnic with games and outdoor
activities for all members of the family hosted by Ecum
Secum Loyal
Orange Lodge in Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia on July 11, 1999.
The event
is open to all branches of the Orange family as well
as the public.
Ecum Secum is situated east of the city of Halifax on
the Atlantic coast.
For further information email brianmc@tartannet.ns.ca
Let us know about your experiences-what were the parades you remember like? How are you planning for the procession this year? What are some tips for organizing? Leave your contributions on the guest book on the main page and I will put them here!invite other local groups....a n d....step off into a cultural masterpiece!