After beating out all the other symbolic Canadian animals, an official mascot has been chosen to lead this year’s annual Canada Day parade in Airdrie: a moose.
But the moosey mascot is still on the look-out for the right name, and the Airdrie Parades committee is reaching out to the public for assistance.
Airdrie Parades is currently holding a contest asking local children and youth under the age of 14 to submit their name ideas for what the local non-profit is nicknaming their “moose-cot.”
The contest also provides a chance for the person who picks the chosen name to become the Junior Parade Marshal and march alongside the new mascot during the July 1 procession.
For years, Airdrie Parades members have discussed the idea of having a mascot lead their annual parade, and this year they moved ahead with the decision. Committee chair Sam Morros said after discussing various options for a Canadian animal-themed mascot, the moose landed the top spot.
“This is the year that we finally pulled the trigger,” Morros said. “We talked beaver, we talked moose, we talked Canada goose, and then as we shopped around for the perfect mascot, the moose was the winner.”
The committee decided the best way to name the mascot was to connect with the creative side of Airdrie’s younger population. Morros added the contest is intended as a fun way to get the community involved, and they hope it will help make the community feel reflected more within the parade.
Once the submission deadline closes on May 24, the parade committee will select their top picks and then open it up to the rest of the community to vote on their favourite name.
Morros said the committee is welcoming any name submissions to the contest, adding they are viewing the moose as non-binary and are open to all ideas.
“They are just so handsome and charming,” she said, referring to the moose-cot.
The submission period for the contest has already opened and will run until May 23 at 11:59 p.m. Those who wish to learn more about the contest or submit a name can head over to Airdrietoday.com.
