Thousands of people collected in downtown Sechelt on Monday for the annual Canada Day Parade, which boasted 54 floats, making it the largest parade to date.
“We had another successful Canada Day event,” said Theressa Logan, executive director of the Sechelt Downtown Business Association, a major organizer of the Sunshine Coast’s biggest Canada Day celebration.
Adding to the parade’s largesse were participating groups from Gibsons, who this year won’t have a parade of their own because the annual Sea Cavalcade was cancelled. “We reached out to those who missed the Sea Cavalcade this year and had some entries from Gibsons,” Logan said.
The floats, bikes, cars, boats – and even a canoe on wheels – wound their way down Cowrie Street, Inlet Avenue and Dolphin Street, to arrive at Hackett Park, where booths, bands and a dunk tank amused crowds into the afternoon.
At Hackett Park, the Firefighter Games returned, and people had a chance to ride and pet ponies. Four local musical acts performed, including Keely Halward, Whiskey Business, FIR and Brothers in Farms.
The Sunshine Coast Credit Union sponsored the live acts, while the Lions and Rotary clubs raised money for charity. Salish Soils were also on site to create awareness about their recycling and composting programs.
Volunteers for the event remain in demand, according to Logan, who said the lack of volunteers was “our biggest challenge.” She is aiming to sign up at least 100 volunteers for next year to help with the growing event. “Without the support of volunteers, it is going to be very difficult to continue events of this magnitude,” she said.
Celebrations also took place in Gibsons, beginning with Friday’s well-attended night market at Gibsons Public Market. On Monday afternoon the Legion Colour Guard and Pipe Band opened the celebrations at Winegarden Park, while Canada Day cake was served to everyone. Live music and a Tai Chi demonstration, among other festivities, kept the celebrations going into the afternoon.
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