| Warriors' Day Parade | |
| Location: | Toronto, Ontario |
| Years Active: | 1921–present |
| Founded: | 1921 |
| Genre: | Military |
| Attendance: | 3,000 (2019)[1] |
| Patron: | Warriors' Day Council |
The Warriors' Day Parade is an annual military parade in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is open to Canadian war veterans, military personnel, first responders and para military marching contingents and bands.[2] The name was coined by General Sir Julian Byng, was established in 1921 and is organised by the Warriors' Day Parade Council.[3] The parade is held on the third Saturday of August which is the second day of the Canadian National Exhibition. The parade honours the service of Canadian men and women in the armed forces.
The parade route begins at the Princes' Gates, travels along Princes' Boulevard and ends at the Stanley Barracks. Veterans are organized by their units, wars and demonstrations. Veterans are welcomed from Canada and the United States. The Warriors' Day Parade Council awards organizations that participate.[4] The parade is often planned to commemorate specific events such as notable battles.
Following the world wars, participants in the parade included up to military veterans. In 2019, the number of veterans participating was estimated at just below 3,000. A number of privately owned military vehicles and classic cars also take part in the parade, representing various military vehicle preservation associations.[5]
The parade council was formed in Toronto in 1921, extending the work of the Canadian National Exhibition which had been hosting military parades and demonstrations beginning in 1879.[6] The council desired a specific day to pay tribute to living veterans of the First World War. "Warriors' Day" was therefore declared; in early years, it was the first day of the Exhibition.[7]
In 1927, the Warriors' Day Parade coincided with the dedication of the Princes' Gates, attended by HRH Edward, Prince of Wales and his brother Prince George. The archway was built to commemorate 50 years of Canadian Confederation. The parade followed the Royal party along Lake Shore Boulevard through the new arch. The parade was then reviewed by the Princes.[8]
In 2015, the parade commemorated veterans of Second World War.[9] In 2017, the parade commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid.[10] [11]
The 2020 and 2021 editions of the parade were cancelled due to COVID-19.[12] [13]