Registrations are open for the Okotoks parade and a few other popular summer events.

Eased COVID restrictions have allowed for many Okotoks traditions to return, and while the town is prepared for possible changes, they're planning for a parade in the style of those that came before COVID.

It's a bit of a surreal feeling for community event specialist Zach Adams.

"It was a little bit weird opening up registration and saying 'hey, we're going to have an event with 10,000 people in the downtown,' but we're cautiously optimistic that we'll be able to push forward with a parade of what we're used to from an annual parade here in Okotoks."

This year's theme is #OkotoksStrongerTogether, a phrase that originated early on in the pandemic to encourage unity and togetherness among Okotokians.

Adams found it to be a fitting theme for the first town event of this scale in a few years.

"When we started planning our theme this year, we wanted a theme that was a celebration of the community and what we've been through for the past two years, so we thought that Okotoks Stronger Together would be a great theme to pull into the parade because it talks about a community that kind of worked through the challenges of the last two years together."

Also returning are the Children's Festival, to be held on the same day as the parade, and Taste of Okotoks.

Those considering registering are asked to do so well ahead of time.

"It really gives us a good idea of how big it's going to be and the timing, and it just gives us more information. people sometimes like to register last minute, but I'd encourage anybody to register early just so we can get a really good idea of how big the parade's going to be this year."

The parade and Children’s Festival are scheduled for June 18, with Taste of Okotoks set for July 16.

Registration information for the events can be found on the town's website.