Parade of Heroes

As the name suggests, the Parade of Heroes provides Look Homes, Stepper Homes, and Brazzo & Brennex Contracting with an invaluable opportunity to spend time with true heroes: the children involved with the Kids With Cancer Society.

Since its inception in 2006, the Parade of Heroes has afforded children battling cancer with an annual opportunity to experience the thrill of riding on motorcycles in a safe and festive setting. Motorcyclists spend an afternoon parading each young passenger around Edmonton’s Hawerlak Park and visiting with the child’s family members in attendance. At the head of the procession each year, is honorary ride marshall Gord Steinke of Global News. In reflecting on the annual event, Gord notes the emotion and inspiration that leaves an indelible mark on those who participate:

One of the high points for me is watching all the big burly leather-clad bikers taking the excited kids for a ride. The children are so genuinely thrilled by the experience, that when the ride is over the bikers all have tears in their eyes. It’s a very touching moment year after year. A very special event for the motorcyclists and the kids.

Of course, no afternoon at Hawerlak is complete without the customary B.B.Q. And the Parade of Heroes embraces the B.B.Q. tradition heartily. Thanks to staff members from the title sponsors, the Heroes leave the park at the end of the afternoon having consumed more than their share of traditional B.B.Q. fare.

The event concludes only after every child has had the thrill of a motorcycle ride, all curiosities addressed, and all questions about motorcycles answered. Above all, it is our hope that the Parade of Heroes provides some brief respite, for both the children and their families, from the exhaustive ongoing battle they face bravely each day.

Revving Up For Kids