It was the perfect day for a parade. Not too hot, not too cold, and luckily no rain.
“It was just ideal,” said Ron Butlin, chairman and organizer of the Island Farms Victoria Day Parade. “I thought it was one of the best we’ve had in the 20 years I’ve done the parade,”
Police estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people lined the Douglas Street route.
And all were treated to a fabulous spectacle of sight and sound.
Brassy high school marching bands from local highschools and the U.S. kept toes tapping and hands clapping.
In the end, the judges awarded Spectrum Community School first place in the Canadian band category, followed by Reynolds Secondary and Lambrick Park Secondary in second and third place.
Reynolds took first place in the Canadian drill team category, followed by Lambrick Park Seconday and Spectrum Community School in second and third place.
Of the U.S. schools of more than 1,200 students, South Kitsap High School’s marching band took top place followed by Ballard High School and Oregon City High School.
First among smaller schools was Shorecrest High School, followed by Sehome High School and Mount Baker High School. Kingston Middle School took the award for juniors.
The O’Brian Irish Dancers won first in performing acts, followed by the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Society and the Victoria Motorcycle Club.
Best walking group was the Victoria Swiss Society. Sikh Martial Arts came in second followed by the Saanich Firefighters.
Galey Farms won best commercial float.
