A new route has been mapped for Fort Saskatchewan’s Canada Day Parade this year.

Instead of starting at the water tower, the parade will now start at 100 Avenue and 108 Street. It will also travel counter-clockwise through the 108 Street - 101 Avenue - 101 Street and 99 Avenue route.

Parade entries will be marshalled on 100 Avenue east of 108 Street this year, rather than at the Jubilee Recreation Centre parking lot.

The change should help deal with several safety and traffic issues encountered regularly on the old route, says the City of Fort Saskatchewan’s Canada Day celebrations coordinator Arthur Lewandowski.

The intersection where the head of the parade meet its tail on 101 Street has always been a problem, he notes. Children and adults tend to wander out onto the parade route at that point, which is a real safety concern.

This new route should avoid that issue.

Organizers also plan to allow traffic to turn south from either end of 99 Avenue at 101 Street and 108 Street, which should greatly reduce traffic issues at those point. Those entering downtown on the east end of 99 Avenue will therefore now be able to get to 98 Avenue, as will motorists entering downtown from the west.

Lewandowski still recommends walking, bicycling or taking transit to Canada Day festivities rather than fighting for the limited number of parking spaces available downtown that day. Transit is free that day, with buses picking up at every marked stop every 15 minutes starting at 7 a.m. and ending at midnight.

Bicycle racks are also available behind the bandshell in Legacy Park this year.