Bradford’s Remembrance Day Parade brought out quite the crowd Sunday afternoon, as veterans, the Innisfil Pipe and Drum band and Legion members marched through the downtown core.
The parade started at 1 p.m. in front of the TSC plaza, then headed down Holland Street to Bingham Street, and then along Black Street to the Bradford's Legion, Orville Hand Branch 521.
Many familiar faces participated in the parade, including Mayor Rob Keffer and members of BWG council, York-Simcoe MP Scot Davidson and The Hon. Caroline Mulroney, Ontario Minister of Transportation.
Turnout for this year's parade was up dramatically from last year. Citizens lined the parade route, to applaud veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces on the Sunday before Remembrance Day.
Every year, Jim and Carol Collier attend the parade and wreath-laying ceremony, in memory of their son, Sapper Brian Collier, who was killed while serving in Afghanistan, in 2010. He was only 24-years-old.
Jim Collier took notice of how full the streets were at this year's parade.
"It was wonderful," he said. "I've never seen it like that before."
"There's usually more in it (the parade) than at it, so it's good that there was some more support this year," said Carol.
Families lined the streets with "Thank You" signs and Canadian flags, showing their appreciation and respect for those who have served the country, in war and in peacetime.
Bradford Legion's past president, Mike Giovanetti was happy with this year's event.
"Every year I do the parade, I see more and more people," he said.
The well-known ‘Thank You’ signs created by RBC employee, Francine Grenon could be seen all along the parade route, hanging in store front windows and held up by parade-goers.
Grenon has created 365 of the handmade signs over the past three years and is happy to report that this weekend, they were all distributed. "I ran out," Grenon said.
The parade ended at the Bradford Legion where a wreath-laying ceremony was held to honour the veterans, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
