Out in front

Prince Albert Exhibition parade-goers have reason to cheer a little louder this year - 100-year-old Lionel Smith will lead the parade riding in a covered wagon.

"It's not everybody who can have the opportunity to ride in a 1946 wagon box behind a team of mules," said Dale McCoshen, longtime friend of Smith.

"When you can do those sorts of things, you should just go out and do them. I just happen to believe that."

McCoshen will drive Smith, along with two relatives, as part of the ongoing 100th birthday celebrations for Smith.

Using mules, instead of horses, to pull the wagon is not an accident. When Smith was 12 years old, he was disking - a farming practice similar to plowing - with team of mules when he slipped under the disk. He managed to call for the animals to stop just as the disk rolled over him. It trapped the young Smith, but because the mules didn't move, the farm tool didn't cut him.

Had the animals continued walking, Smith would have likely died. He estimates he was under the disk for at least three hours.

"Those mules just stood there all morning," he said. "I think the mule is a wonderful animal."

His mother and a neighbour eventually freed Smith, after going looking for him when he didn't show up for dinner.

"He always said he owes his life to the mules, so that's the significance of the mules in the parade," said Smith's grandson, Byrne Smith, who calls himself the "spring chicken" of the family at age 49.

Byrne and another rider will also be in the parade. The pair is riding horses as outriders to the mules and cart.

Byrne said he hopes his grandfather, who has farmed for his whole life just east of Prince Albert, will be able to hold the reins.

"It's a milestone and I am happy to see ... he's able to enjoy it," Byrne said.

Smith said the reason he's lived so long is due to his positive attitude.

"When something (bad) happened, I never stewed," he said.

The positivity has lasted him 100 years and a month, so far, and he said he

looks forward to continuing it, smiling and waving from the parade today.