Submitted by Rod McLachlan
 
On Sunday, September 13th, the Milton Rotary Club, in partnership with local organizers and members of the Milton Optimist Club, hosted an event called the Milton Cruisin’ Parade that involved 67 vehicles.
 
 
On the day of the event, it rained heavily all morning until about 10:30 am, when the skies suddenly cleared, the sun came out and the green-light to proceed with the event was sent out.
 
The classic and specialty cars, ranging in age from about +100 years old to about 10 years old, across all makes and models, gathered in the parking lot of Milton’s movie theatre on Maple Ave.
 
Vehicle entry to the parade was free, but a request for donations to the Milton Salvation Army Food Bank was made to participants. Ultimately 350 pounds of food and almost $1,300 in cash donations were collected.
 
After an hour of gathering the cars in rows and outlining instructions, the motorcade departed by police escort, courtesy of Halton Regional Police, with Town of Milton Mayor Gord Krantz in a vehicle behind the police lead.
 
The parade route headed west down Woodward Ave., south on Martin St., west up Main St. to Sherwood Community Centre. Along the route, the cars honked and the drivers waved to those who came out of their homes and businesses. The cars then re-assembled in that parking lot before heading south on Scott Blvd, east on Derry Rd. and the parade concluding at the Milton Sports Centre. At the parade’s final destination, the mayor spoke to the assembled participants.
 
A smaller, similar trial event was held in August with much success, and the thought is this will likely be revived as monthly or every-other-month event in 2021, due to the ease with which distancing and safety can be achieved outdoors.
 
The goal was to raise the spirits of the community spontaneously and to raise some donations for the local food bank. Rotarians helped distribute parade route instructions, answer questions and assist where needed before departure. A good time was had by all.