'O Canada!'
Sunshine Coast residents and visitors crowded Sechelt's downtown core July 1, to celebrate Canada Day with a parade followed by activities at Hackett Park.
The parade marked the end of shíshálh Nation's syíyaya Days, an 11-day, community-wide celebration of Indigenous culture and reconciliation which, in Sechelt, includes Canada Day events.
Prior to the parade, Trail Bay Centre set up a bike decorating station, which was a big hit with the kids who all carefully chose their decorations before taking part in the parade, which started near the library before meandering down Cowrie Street and turning onto Inlet Road. The parade ended at Hackett Park, where music, food, a theatrical performance and firefighter drills entertained the crowds all afternoon.
Volunteers from the Sunshine Coast Lions Club organized a pancake breakfast on Cowrie Street prior to the parade, which, from the look of the happy crowd enjoying breakfast under big umbrellas, was a huge hit.
A flyby performed by the Royal Canadian Air Force surprised the crowd as everyone anxiously waited for the parade to begin and Mother Nature did her part by supplying a beautiful morning with not a cloud in the sky.
