Editor:
This year, for the first time, Gibsons volunteer fire department trucks were missing from their customary spot at the end of the Sea Cavalcade parade.
This is why we decided not to participate this year.
The water fight has become a Sea Cavalcade tradition. In the beginning, it was a few water balloons tossed by kids along the parade route, but over the years, despite our efforts to "tone it down," the violence has been increasing.
Two years ago, our kids and families rode in our antique fire truck. They got swarmed. A number were hurt. We learned that we can not participate in the parade with our families because it is too dangerous.
Last year, we were surprised by the increased vindictiveness of some of the individuals participating in the "fun" water fight. Our firefighters were hurt and the trucks were damaged.
We pride ourselves on our operational readiness and the care we take of our equipment. Running trucks in the Sea Cavalcade parade now compromises that effort, all to satisfy a very small group of parade watchers who seem to want to victimize our department.
I hope that one day the trucks can return to the parade. Until then, you can find your volunteer firefighters participating in the Tin Man Challenge (congratulations to Halfmoon Bay, the winners of this year's competition, and to Ryan Daley of Halfmoon Bay, with the fastest time) and at the family picnic on Sunday afternoon.
Robin Woolmer,
training manager,
Gibsons and District Volunteer Fire Department
