The International Homecoming Parade in St. Stephen, N.B. and Calais, Maine, is being handed off to a community-governed board.
Last year, the festival was nearly cancelled due to a lack of participation. At the time, Municipal District of St. Stephen (MDSS) Director of Community Services Kev Sumner said if it did not go ahead in 2025, the parade would be unlikely to resume in future years.
“The downside is if this doesn’t happen, it’s unlikely that it will be able to come back. It’s almost been grandfathered in, quite a unique situation,” he said in August.
The parade, first held in 1974, went ahead after the threat of cancellation sparked renewed community interest.
“I’m all for community-led,” said Coun. Wade Greenlaw. “I’d like to make sure that there is a proper handoff. So I’d like to see the municipal district retain control and oversight until there is a chair in place and a board made up of enough people to make sure that the work gets done.”
MDSS Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Renaud said a transition plan will be part of the process.
“We need this resolution first before we can put out the call for volunteers and build that team,” he said during the meeting. “Once we have that team, it will be much easier to create that transition plan and smoothly move over to the committee as opposed to [being] staff led.”
Mayor Allan MacEachern said this decision doesn’t mean the town is walking away from the parade but looking to put momentum into the community through idea-making.
“I know a few years back when we took it over it lost traction, but let’s see if we can bring that back,” he said. “We [have] to get people involved.”
Coun. Joyce Wright said getting the community involved is essential, noting the work done by volunteers with the Charlotte County Fall Festival and Chocolate Fest.
“The intent is that staff are there; MDSS is still a partner … but we’re just expanding this to make it better,” she said. “I’m totally in support.”
Coun. Emily Rodas asked whether there was a back-up plan should there not be enough volunteers to step up.
MacEachern said only time will tell whether the municipal district will need to continue supporting the event internally. He noted that on the U.S. side it is run by volunteers.
Renaud added MDSS “won’t give up on the event.”
Council voted unanimously in support of moving the International Homecoming Parade into the hands of a community-led board. The festival is typically held in early August.
