Hundreds of people clad in blue wandered through the streets of Cranbrook on Saturday on a walk to mark World Autism Awareness Day.

Led by the Cranbrook Bugle Band, the group started at Steeples Elementary and walked past the Alliance Church, out onto Cranbrook Street (the Strip), down Victoria Ave and down Sixth Street to end up back at the school.

The walk, which included all ages, began at 11:30 a.m. as the Bugle Band headed up the procession, with kids, parents and MP Wayne Stetski

Themed ‘Light it up Blue’ the walk was just one of many in the province and the world as organizers Ursula McCulloch and Carolyn Maclean kicked off the first ever instalment in Cranbrook—which they hope to make an annual event.

In addition to the presence of the Bugle Band, members of the Aspire Dance Academy were on hand to give a performance in the Steeples Elementary School gymnasium before the walk began.

The event was not a fundraiser more than it was a public display of awareness for people with autism and service groups who provide services to people with autism.

Booths were present from groups like East Kootenay Behaviour Interventionists, as well as East Kootenay Child Development, Pivot Point, East Kootenay Intervention, Blue Lake, Creston and District Community Living-Therapeutic Riding.

McCulloch wishes to thank all the local businesses who donated prizes that were drawn in a raffle. Thanks also goes out to Just Music, which provided the music, and Sandor Rental, which provided a bouncy castle for the kids.

Prize winners are:

One night getaway at Copperstone Resort — Tammy Wicheruk

Two-night stay & play at St Eugene — Kristopher Rankin

Scentsy Gift Basket — David Buckley

Beachbody shakes — Lucille Martin

$50 gift certificate to Spice Hut — Kensi Graham

Boston Pizza large pizza — Taryn VanHoch

$25 gift certificate superstore — Mark Wicheruk