Airdronian and volunteer, Anna Koch, has been named the parade marshal for the 2022 Canada Day Parade. 

Koch says she was overjoyed when she was told she would be the parade marshal. 

“When they called me and said that I had been chosen. I was over the moon. I am so honored and excited to be the parade marshal. I've been practicing my wave as well.” 

Koch moved to Airdrie with her daughter and her husband in 2012 after her husband passed away in 2009. 

“Airdrie is just such a family-orientated community.  It's close to all amenities, which is great without the big city living, what more could you ask for, with plenty of friendly people and great organizations.” 

Koch has plenty of volunteer experience in Airdrie: 

  • 2014-2015 - Airdrie Festival of Lights doing general volunteer duties as needed, selling tickets and assisting patrons. 

  • 2014 - 2016 - Airdrie Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie - assisted with multiple events, acted and did some face painting in AirScares Haunted House. 

  • 2015- 2018 - Assisted with various political campaigns, started out by assisting with events, door knocking, scrutineering at polling stations, all in a volunteer position. 

  • 2017 Rocky View Schools Graduation Banquets - Volunteered to assist the event planner with set up and decor tasks as needed. 

  • 2017 to present, Volunteer Airdrie - Volunteering as needed in multiple events including Canada Day Parade and at the 2021 Airdrie Pro Rodeo ticket booth. 

  • 2018 and 2019 - Airdrie Princess's and Pirates Gala - assisted the event planner with setting up the gala, decorating. 

  • Participating as an actor and singer (Mary Poppins in the last gala.) 

  • 2018 - 2019 - Creative Airdrie was the Volunteer Coordinator for the Airdrie Mayor's Night of the Arts and sat on the Board of Directors. 

  • Volunteered for various other cultural events. 

  • 2019 to present - Client Liaison for Airdrie Meals on Wheels program, volunteer driver, and a volunteer member of the board of directors. 

  • 2021 - Volunteer coordinator for a local candidate in the last municipal election. This was a volunteer position. 

  • 2021 and 2022 - Volunteer at Cooper's Crossing with the Hot Lunch program and have been with them for a couple of years now. 

  • 2022 - Volunteer with Neighbor's Along 8th Street magazine to write and submit articles about different local groups and programs. 

  • 2022 - Working towards working in a volunteer capacity for the Airdrie RCMP Victim Assistance Program. 

“Right now, I work as an employee for Rocky View Schools as a Lunchtime Supervisor at Cooper's Crossing School and for Community Child Care Inc. at Northcott School in the before-and-after care school program during the week.” 

Koch says seeing the community in person is what she is most excited for when it comes to the parade. 

“Just to see smiling faces, we haven't had people on the sidelines on the street for a couple of years now. It will be good to see people smiling and having fun. Hopefully, the weather's going to cooperate as well.  I'm also looking forward to riding in a classic car.” 

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