Mammoth hour-long reunion parade marches through downtown Ripley

It was perfect weather for a parade Saturday.

And a good thing, as a huge crowd lined Queen Street in Ripley for the mammoth, hour-long Ripley Reunion parade.

Led by the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band, the parade began east of the village at the farm of Sandy Pollock, with more than 120 entries, including an incredible number of floats by several families, as well as businesses, corporations, and organizations from Ripley and the surrounding area.

There were also Shriners of every kind - the Mocha Temple Shriners of London, the Jeepsters, the mini-bikes, the Desert Rat dune buggies, and the chopper motorcycles.

The parade featured the McMaster Marching Band of Hamilton, Canada's only competitive marching band; the Ontario Provincial Command, The Commissioner's Own, Pipes and Drums; the Brussels Legion Pipe Band; and the Teeswater Highlanders Pipe Band, as well as antique cars and trucks, teams of horses, miniature horses, and an abundance of politicians and federal election candidates.

A number of floats used water guns to help cool down the crowd under the hot sun. But Alex MacLennan of Ripley enjoyed some retribution as he fired back with his own Super Soaker, much to the surprise of those in the parade.

While some youngsters had a bird's eye view of the parade from a sunporch rooftop, many families gathered along the parade route, including Bill and Lila Tranter's children: Allan Tranter of Kincardine, Gail Lock of Ripley, George Tranter of East Lansing, Michigan, Debbie of Ripley, Arlene MacDonald of Courtice, Bill Tranter of Goderich, and Ab Waller of Calgary, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Following the parade, was the opening ceremonies, along with many great activities, including the Craz-E-Crew Stunt Team, and Tug of War.

Sunday, features Ripley's Amazing Race, Elvis Impersonator, Beer Garden Olympics and the Shirt Tail Dance. And Monday events include the Bed Races, Ventriloquist Randy and Friends, and the Beard-Growing Contest. The reunion ends with fireworks at dusk.