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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
Residents of Fort Providence were able to take a global trip on Aug. 4 without leaving their community.

Goliah Landry-Elleze, 2, stands by her stroller that her grandmother Laura Sabourin decorated for her for the Mackenzie Days parade in Fort Providence. Sabourin and Landry-Elleze won second place in the stroller category. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Famous buildings and locations from around the world paraded down the hamlet's main street during the Mackenzie Days parade. The theme of this year's parade was world attractions.

Leading the way was Sadeedi Gargan, sandwiched between the two towers that make up the Tower Bridge from London, England. Sadeedi transformed her ATV into the landmark with the help of her mother Diana Gargan.

The idea came from Diana's husband, Eddie Gargan, who has been watching the Olympics on television. Sadeedi and her mom started the project on Aug. 1, two days before the parade.

While Diana cut the cardboard, Sadeedi painted. The final construction was a joint effort.

Diana said she encouraged Sadeedi to decorate her ATV because she enjoys getting her children involved in different activities and events.

"I like doing things with my kids," she said.

The effort resulted in a first-place prize in the ATV category.

Next stop, China

Continuing around the globe, the next stop was China. Paschalina, Shelby, Erin and Britney Nadli used the Internet to pick a theme for their float. They chose the Forbidden City in China because the rectangular structure looked like it would be easy to replicate.

"It wasn't," said Paschalina.

An initial attempt with cardboard was abandoned and the project was rebuilt with plywood thanks to the help of Eric, Ernest and Jimmy Nadli. Some long nights went into the construction including working until 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday and 2:30 a.m. on Thursday. The effort was rewarded with a second-place finish.

The next stop in the parade was Hawaii.

"I've always liked Hawaii and everything about it," said Laura Sabourin who decorated her granddaughter's stroller to extol the virtues of the islands.

Sabourin didn't stop with the stroller, she also made Goliah Landry-Elleze a costume to match the theme. The end result could have been a lot different. Sabourin originally considered making the Statue of Liberty until she decided it was too complicated.

Hopping over Graceland, which was highlighted in a float by Lorna Antoine which won first place, Sabourin's daughter Rosaline Landry finished of the world tour with a stop in Florida.

Landry decorated her son's stroller to represent the state – particularly Walt Disney World. For either side of the stroller Landry made paintings of the Cinderella Castle.

The entire creation, which included a cut-out of Mickey Mouse, took Landry approximately a day to complete. Landry said she was inspired by her mother who always decorates for Mackenzie Days.

Landry won first place in the stroller category while Sabourin took second.

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