Community walk returns to Kiwanis Field to support older adults
The Grand Parade will return to Brantford on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2026, organisers announced this week, as the Grand River Council on Aging (GRCOA) launched its local campaign at Aspira Brants Landing Retirement Living. The sixth annual Brantford event will take place at the Kiwanis Field behind Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School, and aims to raise funds for services that help keep older adults engaged and connected in the community.
Organisers are asking for broad participation from the city, including teams from community groups, workplaces, schools and retirement homes. This year’s local targets are explicit: recruit 30 teams, attract 120 walkers and raise $40,000 to support programs for seniors across Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations of the Grand River.
Accessible format and a ‘Parade at Home’ option
The Grand Parade is designed to be family friendly and accessible. Participants of all ages and mobility levels are encouraged to use the accessible track at Kiwanis Field; for those who cannot attend in person, organisers will again run the “Parade at Home Challenge.” That option lets individuals or groups walk from another location, submit a photo and still be counted toward the local campaign.
- When: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2026
- Where: Kiwanis Field (behind Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School)
- Local goals: 30 teams, 120 walkers, $40,000
Campaign leader Linda Moyer stressed inclusivity and the multiple ways to take part. She said the Parade at Home Challenge is an opportunity for participants who are travelling or who live in retirement homes to join the event remotely, often decorating with balloons, buttons and pom-poms supplied by organisers.
“If you can’t join us on that day, no problem. Whether it’s due to mobility or scheduling, you can always do an off-site event. We have some people that go on vacation, and so they walk wherever they are, and they take a picture to send back to us. It’s all part of the parade, so we have lots of fun with that,” said Linda Moyer, Grand Parade campaign leader.
Local impact and uses of funds
Funds from the Grand Parade support local charities that provide essential care and services for older adults — programs that help seniors remain active, informed and connected to their communities. While organisers did not detail specific allocations in their launch announcement, the event is presented as a key fundraiser for ongoing programming offered by local service providers and the GRCOA network.
Organisers encourage teams from retirement homes to either come to the Kiwanis track or host their own Parade at Home gatherings, with materials provided so residents can participate in the celebration. The model recognises the region’s urban and rural mix — some supporters will travel into Brantford to take part in person, while others will join from neighbouring townships or be part of off-site teams.
How to get involved
Residents who want to join a team, start their own group, or organise a Parade at Home for a retirement home can contact the Grand River Council on Aging. The launch at Aspira Brants Landing highlighted the role of volunteers and local partners in making the Brantford edition of the nationwide Grand Parade an inclusive community event.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 29, 2026 |
| Location | Kiwanis Field (behind Pauline Johnson Collegiate) |
| Local recruitment goal | 30 teams / 120 walkers |
| Fundraising target | $40,000 |
As the event approaches, organisers say they will finalise logistics and participant materials. For many Brantford residents, the Grand Parade provides a seasonal, visible reminder of the local volunteer networks and services that support an ageing population across the city and surrounding communities.
