Scooters to feature in grand parade
A stealth of mobility scooters are being pimped for their inaugural entry in the Alexandra Blossom Festival grand parade this year.
The parade, set for September 27, has opened up float entry conditions to allow smaller entries, which explicitly includes mobility scooters.
Festival event manager Martin McPherson said the idea was about community, creativity and bringing the generations together as well as a bit of fun.
It was the ultimate intergenerational collaboration — mobility scooters decorated by teenagers, cruising in the grand parade through town, he said.
Mobility scooter business owner Ted Clouston, 92, said he would supply a small fleet of scooters for the occasion for anyone who wanted to enter but did not have one.
Mr Clouston, who went to his first Blossom Festival in 1957, said he already had a group of scooter enthusiasts ready to go.
"Everyone I've spoken to is dead keen."
It was more than a decade since Mr Clouston last took part in the grand parade, and he was looking forward to cruising the street again — albeit on a very different vehicle to previous years, he said.
Mr McPherson said he was keen to hear from rest-homes and senior clubs, as well as students, wanting to get involved.
"Imagine a squad of mobility scooters driving in a flying "V" formation down Centennial Ave, all decked out in blossoms thanks to the youngsters — it will be magnificent..
"Whether you're a senior keen to cruise or a student with a bit of flair, this is your chance to roll through Alexandra in style."
Students would be rewarded with free entry to the Contact Party in the Park and festival organisers would shout them lunch, Mr McPherson said. — Allied Media
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Mobility scooter users Allan Johnston (left) and Ted Clouston, both 92, with Alexandra Blossom Festival event manager Martin McPherson. The festival is inviting mobility scooter riders to decorate their scooters and ride them in the Grand Parade on September 27. PHOTO: SHANNON THOMSON/ALEXANDRA BLOSSOM FESTIVAL A stealth of mobility scooters are being pimped for their inaugural entry in the Alexandra Blossom Festival grand parade this year. The parade, set for September 27, has opened up float entry conditions to allow smaller entries, which explicitly includes mobility scooters. Festival event manager Martin McPherson said the idea was about community, creativity and bringing the generations together as well as a bit of fun. It was the ultimate intergenerational collaboration — mobility scooters decorated by teenagers, cruising in the grand parade through town, he said. Mobility scooter business owner Ted Clouston, 92, said he would supply a small fleet of scooters for the occasion for anyone who wanted to enter but did not have one. Mr Clouston, who went to his first Blossom Festival in 1957, said he already had a group of scooter enthusiasts ready to go. "Everyone I've spoken to is dead keen." It was more than a decade since Mr Clouston last took part in the grand parade, and he was looking forward to cruising the street again — albeit on a very different vehicle to previous years, he said. Mr McPherson said he was keen to hear from rest-homes and senior clubs, as well as students, wanting to get involved. "Imagine a squad of mobility scooters driving in a flying "V" formation down Centennial Ave, all decked out in blossoms thanks to the youngsters — it will be magnificent.. "Whether you're a senior keen to cruise or a student with a bit of flair, this is your chance to roll through Alexandra in style." Students would be rewarded with free entry to the Contact Party in the Park and festival organisers would shout them lunch, Mr McPherson said. — Allied Media
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