Ron Sakamoto will marshal Coaldale’s historic Candy Parade this year during the town’s annual Summer Fest celebration. The festival will kick off in the evening of Aug. 11 with a movie in Millennium Park, set to start between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m.
The parade will start at R.I. Baker School on Aug. 12 at 11:00 a.m. It will head east down 22 Ave.
Sakamoto is well known for his contribution to the music industry in Alberta and across the country. He was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Award Hall of Fame in 2014 and was recently awarded the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the Juno Awards.
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“A lot of people don’t realize that despite residing in Lethbridge, Ron was actually born in Coaldale and for the first few years of his life, lived on a farm just outside of town”, said Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn. “To shine a light on his connection to the community, we’re thrilled to name him honorary parade marshal for the town’s annual Summer Fest Candy Parade, as well as to have him participate in some of this year’s festivities.”
Saturday (Aug. 12) festivities will start with a Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast fundraiser, as well as the parade.
Sakamoto will sit on a panel of judges for the town’s first battle of the bands, which will start at 2:00 p.m. The Chevilles will later take the stage at 8:00 p.m., before the day ends with fireworks.