Dec. 13 will mark the 20th year area farmers decorate their farm machinery with Christmas lights and parade through this village.
“We believe that we were the first lit-up nighttime parade in Ontario,” said Walter Swanston, one of the event’s organizers.
He pointed out evening parades are now commonplace, but noted the Rockwood Farmers’ Parade of Lights is non-commercial and advertising-free, which keeps it unique.
“The first year we had 15 entries,” said Swanston.
“I was the only traffic control and I stopped traffic on Highway 7 with a farm equipment dealership’s truck with orange rotating lights. Imagine what would happen now if I tried to pull off that stunt.”
Contrary to his antics the first year, Swanston credits the longtime success of the parade to the partnerships the parade committee has with the Township of Guelph-Eramosa, the local fire department and the OPP.
Five of the farmers from the original parade will again participate with floats this year. Organizers boast that each of the 21 entries this year will feature thousands of festive lights and other decorations.
“If you haven’t seen the parade before you will be blown away by the show these farmers put on,” said Swanston.
He added the inspiration for the parade remains the same as it did the first year.
“We wanted to create some awareness for our local agriculture,” he said.
“We also wanted to say thank you to our town neighbours for their understanding of our farm machinery on the roads the rest of the year.”
The parade starts at 7pm on the north edge of Rockwood and finishes on the 4th line of Guelph-Eramosa.
More information about the exact parade route can be found at www.rockwoodfarmersparade.org.
