Lions' Beaches Easter Parade

When: Easter Sunday (April 8)

Date established: 1966

Route: Along Queen Street East from Victoria Park to Woodbine

Organizers: Toronto Beaches Lions Club

Turnout: 45,000

Guiding philosophy: Chintzy floats, fuzzy six-foot rabbits and slightly sinister clowns

The mood: Sugar-rush central

Mascot: Bunnies, dogs, dogs dressed as bunnies

Spectator style: Lawn chairs, Lululemon and little kiddies worn on shoulders

Freebies for the kids: More than 45,000 pieces of free chocolate were gobbled up in '06

Christ count: The Saviour is nowhere to be seen—although an annual float from the Toronto Catholic School Board features a six-foot cross covered in white lilies

Celebs: David Miller, Bill Blair, Miss Canada and Mr. Peanut

Historical snafus: In 1997, animal activists protested the addition of elephants (on loan from the Bowmanville Zoo) to the lineup. “Now we just stick to the dogs,” says organizer Chris Yaccato. Not that the smaller beasts don’t pose their own problems: last year, one particular pup left his “business” in the middle of the route