I grew up in Martensville, and every June the town put on “Buster Days”. The festivities took place over the course of a weekend and included ball tournaments, dances, an air band competition (which I won lip syncing to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun!") and a parade. Every year businesses went “all out” on their floats. They were beautiful. As well, anyone could enter his or her own personal floats as well.

One year my grandpa decided to take all of his grandkids on a float. He hooked up his antique tractor with a wooden trailer and we all dressed up as pioneer children. I waved like a queen in my long dress and bonnet; it was a blast! You could also enter individually with your bike or wagon decorated. I loved that it was an open opportunity for anyone to get creative and be a part of something exciting.

I’ve been feeling nostalgic about those days and wishing that my kids too could experience the fun of decorating their bike, wagon or scooter so why not create our own mini parade? Suggest the idea to a group of your friends or family and pick a date for your parade. You can settle on a theme or just leave it completely open.

Stock yourself up on streamers, pom poms, balloons and any other trinkets you find and get your kids involved in decorating. You can weave streamers through the spokes of your tires, hang pom poms from the handles and even tie tin cans to the back of the bike to make ruckus as you drive. Did anyone else attach a baseball card to the frame to hit the spokes as you drove making it sound like a motorbike? That’s a must as well!

The wagons I envision with a homemade canopy and maybe bright fake flowers lining the sides. The kids can even dress up in costumes that coordinate with their mini floats. On the day of the parade, head to a park, line up the adults and show off your stuff!