It鈥檚 only fitting that Victorians turn out by the tens of thousands for a parade on Victoria Day. After all, the holiday honours the same queen who gave her name to our city. Other Canadians celebrate, too, but it still feels like our day.
It certainly felt like our day on Monday, as an estimated 50,000 people lined Douglas Street to watch the 141 entries in the Island Farms Victoria Day Parade. This time, the sun shone on the crowds who were three and four deep at some spots, and a breeze kept them from getting too hot.
As always, many spectators arrived early with their lawn chairs to stake out the prime viewing areas. As they have for 116 years, floats and bands and clowns charmed both children and their parents.
For Ron Butlin, it was the 21st time he has organized the parade, putting in the months of work required before the Naden Band even starts to play. What do 141 entries look like? The festivities kicked off at 9 a.m. and the last entry didn鈥檛 leave the Mayfair mall parking lot until 11:55 a.m.
Once again, American marching bands were a welcome part of the event. This year, 18 from California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho made the trek to join six Canadian bands in providing the music that makes any parade memorable.
If Victoria Day is the unofficial start of summer on the Island, the parade sent us into the season with smiles on our faces.
