The Easter Parade, a decades-old tradition in Torontos Beaches neighbourhood, will be missing a familiar sight this year politicians.

The local Lions Club that organizes the spring event has declared the march along Queen Street East a political-free zone, a move it says is aimed at returning the parade to community and families. Organizers deny the move was taken to keep the citys controversial leader, Rob Ford, from pitching chocolates at the crowd as he has since taking office.

But the change in policy has left Torontos mayor with 10,000 Easter eggs on his hands. Mr. Ford says he ordered the candy before hearing he would no longer be welcomed at the parade. Hes hoping to donate the chocolate to the Lions Club anyway, even if he is not allowed to distribute it in person.

What can you do? Mr. Ford said Tuesday, after wheeling out a skid piled with boxes of chocolate from his office to show reporters. If they dont want us there, they dont want us there. I respect their decision.

Mr. Ford said he only learned of the new policy in a letter from organizers Tuesday morning. An e-mail from Mr. Fords office shows his staff contacted the Lions Club on April 1 about marching in the event.

I understand what they are doing ...I wish they would have told me a little earlier, Mr. Ford said before taking the chocolate back inside his office. I gotta see if they want my eggs.

Parade director Keith Begley said organizers took the step anticipating increased interest in the event in an election year.

We thought it was easier to have a parade for the sake of the Easter parade and eliminate all of the hassles that go along with politics, Mr. Begley said, himself a former candidate for councillor in the 2010 election. We just thought it was time to eliminate all of them.

Organizers of the Santa Claus parade last year told Mr. Ford he was not welcome in the annual event after he admitted to smoking crack cocaine. Mr. Begley said the Lions Club sent out a letter to all three of the areas incumbents Councillor Mary Margaret McMahon, MPP Michael Prue and MP Michael Kellway outlining the new policy. It sent the same letter to Mr. Fords office when he recently applied to march.

In an effort to maintain harmony amongst its members the Toronto Beaches Lions Club has always restricted its involvement and exposure to anything of a political nature, the letter reads.

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Torontos Beaches Easter Parade declared political-free zone