Photo 299646720 / Year © Lepasik | Dreamstime.com

By Erika Rolling

Holiday Parade

Big rig Christmas “Convoy for Kids” and fundraiser in GP Sunday evening

Dec 8, 2023 | 12:31 PM

A local towing company has decided to give the community some Christmas cheer with a big rig light-up convoy through the streets of Grande Prairie on Sunday, December 10.

Harold’s Towing, along with multiple community business sponsors, is hosting a “Convoy for Kids” starting at 4:30 p.m., with a charity drive and donation BBQ to follow at Harold’s Towing business yard.

Santa and the Grinch will make an appearance at Harold’s, along with voting on the best-decorated trucks in the convoy, and a bouncy castle for kids in their shop.

Harold’s Towing Office Manager Jodi Pierson says the idea for the convoy sparked from a member of their team wanting to give back to the community this holiday season.

“Since we are in the towing industry we decided that, what better way than to decorate big trucks; the Coca-Cola truck, all of our heavy trucks… decorate them with Christmas lights and go through town.”

Pierson says the idea was also a way to give Grande Prairie a type of holiday parade since there is no Santa Claus parade happening in 2023.

She says after the brightly decorated trucks are done driving the route (see photo attached below), the festivities will continue at the Harold’s Towing yard with the fundraiser and donation drive for Helping Hands Society of Grande Prairie.

“Everybody can come and see the trucks, and vote on the trucks. We are also having a charity barbeque that is all done by donation.”

“Helping Hands touches so many individuals that are less fortunate that won’t have a Christmas this year, so why not give back to the community and give people the Christmas they deserve?”

Donations for Helping Hands can be anything from non-perishable food, unwrapped toys, and even cash.

There will be multiple collection points along the convoy route at:

• St. Joe’s/Eastlink Centre parking from 4-6 p.m.
• Prairie Mall parking lot from 4-6 p.m.
• Harold’s Towing until 8:30 p.m.

Pierson notes there will be around 70 trucks in the convoy route, being led by the local RCMP.

“Come down, have some barbeque, see Santa and the Grinch free of charg,e and enjoy trucks.”

Convoy route starting on 98th Street, to Harold’s Towing Yard on 90th Street. Photo courtesy Harold’s Towing/Facebook