The Moose Jaw Cycle Association (MJCA)'s annual Toy Run Parade on behalf of the Salvation Army is once again teaming up with the Downtown Moose Jaw Association (DMJA)'s Little Chicago Show & Shine, leaning into the event symmetry on purpose this time after last year's initial confusion.
"This year's Toy Run Parade is Saturday, Sept. 16, leaving at 2 p.m. sharp, and when we say 2 p.m. we do mean 2 p.m., so you have to be there a little earlier than that," said Murray Roney, long-time president of the MJCA (Roney noted, only half joking, that his commitment to being president of the MJCA seems to be a lifetime one.) "And because the businesses downtown are having their car show thing again, we'll be going up Main Street through a lane they'll open for us and we'll go right through their car show.
"So, spectators at the [Little Chicago Show & Shine] can also enjoy all the motorcycles going up Main with the toys."
Last year was the DMJA's first attempt at a car show, and it turned out to be a tremendous success. Organizers had hoped for at least 150 cars, but more than 220 showed up, drawing thousands of visitors and creating a street festival feel in the downtown.
For the 2023 repeat, the Little Chicago Show & Shine increased vehicle registration numbers to 300 and added another music stage. The show goes 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"Last year, the city booked both of our parade permits for the same day, and we were actually booked before they were," Roney explained. When the confusion came to light, he continued, the City asked if there was a way for the apparently competing events to co-exist.
"So, the [DMJA] came to us and said, 'We've got a problem,' and we had a meeting with them. And they were very willing to co-ordinate with us in that. I was leery of the idea, but it worked out quite well. I think it's a great deal. People at the car show get to see a motorcycle parade as well, and we get to drive through all these really cool vehicles."
The DMJA also seized the chance to help the Salvation Army Toy Run Parade by setting up a donation box downtown. All the toys and donations are collected by the Salvation Army in Moose Jaw for their Christmas program that benefits struggling families.
The Toy Run starts on Manitoba St. with riders lining up from 1st Ave NW all the way down to the bridge. From there, they make their way to Thatcher and end at the Salvation Army church.
The Toy Run is followed every year by steak night at the Crushed Can at 5 p.m. Anyone can attend that fundraiser, motorcyclist or not, and the proceeds from the steak night go to purchase hats, toques, mittens, and scarves, which are also donated to the Salvation Army.
"There are actually quite a few people that come to see the Toy Run and then they'll come down to the steak night," Roney added. "And you get to see some people you never see, because they aren't motorcyclists. We like to see them, we welcome anybody that comes in and supports this great cause."
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