Canadian Tulip Festival: Ottawa, Canada May 2015

[Robin Craig]

Stuart,

Those of us at the sharp end in my shop are confused as to what MV event is going on on what day.

The parade as such is short and awkward for those of us with floats and trucks.

We are developing our own staging point plans and drive in to town scheme.

I know another area collection is working with us but I cant speak for them.

It will be interesting to track down their plans. Things look a bit spartan but just like a scorpion the sting can in the tail. Time will tell as to what rolls from our shop and theirs. There is always a chance of a really good soaking at this time of year.

I know for most people the Friday kills the participation from the MV owners side and reduces spectators and adds rush hour traffic issues.

Jeff has engaged with me and with others, awaiting more info at this time.

R

[Eric B]

Hello

If you go to the web page there is a Waiver form to complete if you are interested in Participating in any of the weekend Tulip Festival events.

If you are just interested in participating in the Parade, then there is a Registration form to be completed, which i hope i have attached. If not it is available on the events web page. http://www.veteranstribute.ca/

Only one of these forms are required to be submitted to be part of the parade.

Briefly (tentatively)
8:00- 9:00 form up somewhere near Ottawa City Hall
Vehicles not licensed and insured for the road require to be floated to the staging area.

10:00 March off to the National War Memorial.

11:00 Official Ceremony at the National War Memorial.

12:00 Possible march/drive past Dias.
Drop off Vets at City Hall and return to Queen Julianna Park under police escort (except those requiring a float).

No live, replica or deactivated weapons,(Unless part of the vehicle) no current issue uniforms unless currently serving. See web page for more details.

Re-enactors will be walking with the MV's (riding if space available) and assisting with the Vets.

Thanks
Eric

[Robin Craig]

Eric,

no the form did not come through and no it isnt on the veterans tribute webpage either.

Will call you at home and send an email to Jeff M

FYI the Tulip Festival webpage has a different timing for the parade from what I can see

R

[Eric B]

Hello Robin and All

I guess i can't download word files so will now try a PDF.

I am only involved in helping to organize the Parade.

The info i have posted is tentative and is based on previous similar events, such as the Ceremony around the National War Memorial when it poured with rain 5 years ago.

When i receive final confirmation of times, locations etc i will post an update.

Thanks
Eric

[Eric B]

Hello

I hope to have a final draft of plans tomorrow.

As a heads up... this is NOT a parade. This is a ceremony enhanced by the addition of vintage military vehicles and re-enactors.

As it is a weekday there will be no full street closures.

As a result there are some restrictions and limitations, which i hope to be able to advise by tomorrow evening.

We will need to know who is participating by the end of next week.
We also need to know the approximate length of the vehicle in meters and how many places are available for Veterans.

Thanks
Eric

[Eric B]

Hello

I made an error yesterday. This Friday 17 April is the cut off date for registering for any of the Ottawa Tulip Festival events, including the Ceremony at the National War Memorial.

Due to space limitations around the National War Memorial, we will not be permitting anything towed, i.e. trailers, guns etc.

Only vehicles bearing valid license plates will be permitted.

We are also looking at limiting the number of participants.

Fore those already registered I have lengths estimated and am assigning two Veterans per vehicle other than MC's, Mules and only one Veteran in any closed cab.
Thanks

Eric

[Michael R.]

The logistics of this event must be somewhat frustrating for the organizers. It certainly has been disappointing for our small local group of universal carrier owners from a few hundred miles outside the immediate Ottawa area as we spent time and money towards preparing to attend what was originally envisoned, in part, to be an anniversary liberation parade.

From my viewpoint it appears the will does not exist in Ottawa to support the dedicated efforts of the event organizers. This apparent lack of support by those Canadians in both an administrative and political position to enable and enhance the event is in stark contrast to how the Dutch in the Netherlands behave in similar circumstances. Of course the Dutch knew and still remember the human costs of having been an occupied country. Shame on those Canadians who may have participated in putting up artifical barriers to a memorial parade that could (in my self serving, narrow, one sided view) have also included in a small part, the iconic tracked armour and supporting equipment that is correct to the period.


My best wishes that the event exceeds expectations and does justice to the memory of not only our Allied and Canadian veterans, but also that of the Dutch people who lost so much and have been ever appreciative of the Allied effort, and in particular the Canadians during the liberation of the Netherlands.