The Canada Day parade will kick off the festivities on Friday, July 1, but this year the volunteer committee has added a little extra power.

This is the first year monster trucks will be participating in the parade, as well as being set up at Chinook Winds in the afternoon where they will be smashing cars and offering ride-alongs. 

The Airdrie Parade and Fireworks committee has also added 5 bleachers with 40 seats per bleacher that will be set up in front of City Hall for the parade.

"There's still open seats. If your interested, it's $15 a seat," said Lynn Kehoe, Committee member. "You can reserve it and part of that reserved seat is parking right in the City Hall parking lot."

Kehoe also said the Stampede Outriders band will be back for the parade, offering some great music and entertainment.

This years parade theme is 'Mardi Gras,' bringing the carnival theme to Canada Day.

The parade begins at 10:00a.m. with Main Street being shut down at 9:00a.m. and remaining closed until noon.

The afternoon celebration at Chinook Winds will get a bit of an earlier start this year with events starting at 3:00p.m.

"There's dunk tanks, the monster trucks, there's lots of vendors, food vendors, just so much to do, and there's also a ball tournament going on that day."

One of the highlights of the day will be the fireworks show, which has been moved this year to the south side of the skate park at Chinook Winds.

"We use Fireworks Spectacular, they do an amazing job and we're pretty excited for them this year and really excited for next years event, actually for the anniversary (150th)."

Kehoe said there is still a need a need for volunteers, to apply visit the Airdrie Parade and Fireworks committee volunteer page.