The whale balloon was a big hit at the parade.
Accompanied by candid floats, upbeat music, and the enlivening sounds of an enthusiastic and excited crowd, the Art Whale parade was successfully held recently in Winnipeg on Saturday, June 29, 2013.
Parade goers showed off their hand-made papier-mache beluga whales while being lead by the “Flaming Trolleys” band playing music that emanated from a car filled with speakers.
The whale parade commenced at exactly 2 pm along Broadway Avenue, turned right onto Spence Street and then went onto Balmoral Avenue and then along Westminster Avenue, turning onto Furby Street and proceeding to Misericordia Health Centre at Sherbrook Street. From there, it was a right on Westminster Avenue, left at Langside Street, and back to the starting place on Broadway Avenue.
An added attraction to the parade itself was the launch of a whale balloon. The balloon called the “Space Whale” was launched at around 3:15 pm. The balloon was made by Ryan Klatt, together with Laura Magnuson and other artists in a group called Whale.
The balloon, expected to make its way into space, will expand 30 feet in diameter as it travels almost one hundred thousand feet into the stratosphere. The balloon is also said to have “a camera and a GPS device” embedded in it, according to Klatt.
Afterwards, an Aboriginal dance presentation was performed by members of the Aboriginal School of Dance.
The day’s events attracted more than 500 people and also featured other activities such as face painting and an awards ceremony, as well as offered tasty snacks such as beaver tails, cookies and watermelon.
One of the many floats is brought out for the parade.
