Get geared up for the Sunshine Festival parade!

Calling everyone with a sense of fun and community! The Geraldton Greenough Sunshine Festival organisers are urging everyone from individual walkers, clowns, skaters and bike riders to car clubs, sporting groups, businesses, community organisations and those with a motorised mobility scooter to sign up for this year’s Festival Float Parade sponsored by MMG.

MMG representative said “They are once again very pleased to support a long standing tradition in Geraldton to celebrate culture and diversity in the community.”

This year sees the TS Morrow Navy cadets celebrate 50th years and therefore take lead of the 2014 MMG Float Parade.

The Parade will start later in the day this year and follow the same route as past years. The parade is scheduled to commence at 2.30pm Saturday October 4 from the west end of Marine Tce (near the Midwest Ports Office), traveling along Lester Ave, Cathedral Avenue, turning right into Carson Terrace and right into Maitland Park. The 2014 Parade promises to once again be a highlight of this treasured community event.

Sunshine Festival Committee chairperson Julian Canny expects this year’s parade to be better than ever, with a new focus on individual participants as well as traditional float parade entries.

“The streets will come alive with music, dance, colour, laughter and all sorts of hilarious antics as people strut their stuff through the heart of Geraldton,” Julian said.

“We had many great float entries last year and this year we expect even more, as well as more entries from individuals and groups on foot to really add to the carnival atmosphere.

“We’re expecting veteran and vintage vehicles and a mediaeval group of swordsmen and jousters. We’ve also recruited a group of people in electric wheelchairs and gophers who will jazz up their vehicles with riotous decorations, and we’re also encouraging bike riders of all ages to decorate their bikes and take part, as well as people of different cultures in traditional dress, dancers, skateboarders – the possibilities are as big as your imagination.”

Prizes this year are: Best commercial float $500, the best community group float $500 and the best recycled theme float $500, while the individual prizes for best decorated kids bike is a new bike from Revolutions Geraldton and the best decorated gopher prize is $200.00.

Julian said the parade was an excellent way for businesses and community groups to showcase their organisation, and have a blast while they are at it.

“It’s a really fun-filled way of advertising your business or community or sporting group,” Julian said.

“And the more outrageous your entry, the more attention you’ll command.”

Entry fees are $75 for commercial and $50 for NFP/community group and entry for children’s decorated bikes and individually decorated gophers are free.

Completed float parade entry form should be lodged no later than Monday September 15. Entry forms can be downloaded from the website www.sunshinefestival.com.au or by contacting festival coordinators - Event Nation on 08 9964 6088.