In 2024, I was selected as one of 8 80 Cities' Ontario Community Changemakers, a microgrant and leadership program intended to help spark new ideas and invigorate change in local communities. For my project, I wanted to build off the success of the MacGregor-Albert Giraffe Parade and continue exploring ways of bringing people together in Waterloo Park. 

To do this, I collaborated with different community groups to host two microparades and one afternoon of karaoke, all in Waterloo Park. The microparades were integrated into community events: the first, a bubble parade, took place on the more populated east side of Waterloo Park and led people to a hidden area on the west, where the MacGregor Albert Community Association, Uptown West Neighbourhood Association, and the Uptown Tree Coalition hosted a celebration of an old oak tree. The second parade, a lantern procession at dusk, followed a day-time lantern-making workshop, hosted by local artist Agnes Niewiadomski (Mindful Makers). People returned to the park at dusk to parade their work, accompanied by student flutists from Wilfrid Laurier’s Faculty of Music. 

These projects were possible thanks to funding from 8 80 Cities and the Balsam Foundation, as well as additional funding from TD Park People Grants.