The 48th annual Sea Cavalcade Festival in Gibsons had a massive turnout this year with well over 5,000 in attendance over the July 23 to 24 weekend – although Sunshine Coast Sea Cavalcade Society (SCSCS) chair Conchita Harding estimated that it could have been as high as 7,000.
“Everything on Saturday went very well, it was well attended,” Harding said. “We had less attendance on the Sunday for the afternoon/evening events. We expected about 1,500 but it was about 1,100. Either people were too tired or it was so hot – I don’t know, but we had really good performers.”
This year included a return of many classic favourites from previous years, such as the parade, fireworks, Philippines’ dancers, Sea Cav Mile run and Keats to Armours Mile swim – and, of course, the Golden Girls. Maureen Partridge was honoured as this year’s Golden Girl.
There were also several new additions this year, such as the clown contest, HMCS Oriole and Navy ORCA boat viewings, kayak and stand up paddle board races and a spectacular magic show, which closed the festival on Sunday.
“The closing for the Sea Cavalcade was absolutely fantastic,” Harding said. “I wish we had moved the spectacular show to Saturday, but they were fabulous – Gerardo Avila and Errol ‘Lippy’ Lipshitz – they put on a show that was unbelievable.”
Harding said that if they can host the spectacular show again next year, she would like to move it up to Saturday to get more attendance.
“If it had been on the Saturday after the parade, everybody would have come,” Harding said. “It was incredible, the performance was top of the line.”
Harding thanked the public for supporting the festival and said she would like to see more volunteers next year. She also asked that festival attendees visit the Sea Cavalcade website – www.seacavalcade.ca – and fill out a survey to let the organizers know what they liked and what they didn’t like so that next year’s festival can be even better.
