Canada, Alberta flags fly high at town parade during separatism debate

PONOKA — Paraders waved both Canada and Alberta flags high as many in a crowd cheered louder for tossed candy than politicians at the annual [stampede] parade in the town of Ponoka.

Tensions over Alberta’s fall referendum on the province’s place in Canada spilled over earlier this month, when another town’s rodeo pulled the plug on its parade, citing online harassment.

But in the central Alberta community of Ponoka, many were too busy revelling in the street pageantry to let debate or political division spoil the day.

Margarete King hauled a float from nearby Lacombe with a giant model grain elevator and an oil pumpjack draped with Alberta flags.