A Rocky Mountain House town councillor is questioning the latest version of the Rocky Rodeo parade route, pondering if the route of yore was better for the community.

The parade route was changed around a decade ago to run through a primarily residential area north of Highway 11A. Previously, the parade route ran down Main St. and along the Hwy 11 corridor.

During a recent council meeting, Councillor Dale Shippelt said parade organizers were told Hwy 11, a provincially-maintained highway, could not be shut down for the purposes of a parade. In a separate interview with 94.5 Rewind Radio, he opined that the old route, was more beneficial to the local business community.

Shippelt also mentioned he’s heard from residents that the old route was better for spectators, as they had more access to bathrooms and shopping at local businesses.

Shippelt speaking about the old route creating a “business atmosphere” downtown.

CAO Dean Krause responded in the meeting, saying it’s the rodeo association which picks the parade route, while the town simply approves it.

In an interview with 94.5 Rewind Radio, Shane Closs, rodeo parade chair, confirms the changes were indeed made following challenges at the provincial level.

“[The parade] couldn’t block a primary highway,” he says. “You’d need the RCMP to block off intersections.”

He adds, other reasons the committee decided to move the parade included it being easier to organize, which then requires fewer volunteers to direct traffic in the downtown core. It was also deemed advantageous as the route went past the Rocky seniors home allowing residents there to enjoy the parade.

Closs speaks about the difficulties running the parade downtown.

During the Aug. 19 council meeting, Krause said the town could engage in a discussion with the rodeo association and Alberta Transportation to potentially return the parade to its old route.

Shippelt told us he’d like to see that happen.

Shippelt speaks about his hope that discussions will commence about returning the parade downtown.

Closs adds, while he feels the newer route has gone smoothly in recent years, returning the parade to its old route — or even just cruising Main St. — is something he’d be open to discussing.

Parade route for the Rocky Pro Rodeo Parade, Saturday June 7. (Rocky Pro Rodeo)