The Owen Sound Legion is hosting a spring convention parade in the city for the first time in seven years.
Legion President Ed Yates says the Spring Convention Parade is set for this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. as members from various legions march from the Marine and Rail Museum to the cenotaph at the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library.
“What this is part of is called a district convention. With the legion, there are two district conventions a year, one in the spring and one in the fall,” says Yates.
He says once they reach the cenotaph, they will be holding a act of remembrance and wreath laying ceremony for Legion Branch 6 and District C, which the Owen Sound Legion is a part of.
Additionally, he says the Owen Sound Legion will be making a significant donation on Sunday.
“Branch 6 itself is looking at donating about $12,000,” says Yates. “Some of those funds will be going towards programs like Leave the Streets Behind, a service dog program, the District C Hospital Foundation, our track and district track and field program, our youth education programs.”
He says the hosting legion of the convention rotates among 50 branches.
“District C runs from Tobermory to Kitchener, from Goderich to Meaford,” says Yates.
He says the last convention parade the Owen Sound Legion hosted was in 2017.
“We are expecting representation from all 50 branches and we are looking at approximately about 200 people,” says Yates.
For the parade, Owen Sound will be fully closing the 800 block of 1st Avenue West to vehicle traffic between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.