There was no absence of smiles in the festive crowd gathered to take in the fire engines, bands and businesses making up the Oak Bay Tea Party parade on Saturday.
Spectators of all ages lined the 2.7-kilometre parade route early, with many coming prepared with folding chairs and rain gear.
The parade was led this year by a contingent of police officers running in support of this year’s Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics B.C. The officers ran with, and in support of, athletes with intellectual disabilities.
After the run, which concluded at Willows Park, the participants returned to Windsor Park, where the public was welcomed to join in a pancake breakfast, with proceeds to support Special Olympics B.C.
“It’s nice to see families get out again,” said Lisa Rogers, 70, who moved to the region about four years ago from Vancouver. “It’s the community spirit that I like. Everybody seems to know each other.”
Hazen Gauthier, 71, agreed.
“It’s a feel-good day. You can feel the pride,” Gauthier said. “When we lived in Calgary, the community had these block parties where you would meet people. Coming to this parade reminds me of that.”
Along with the marching bands from Oak Bay and Reynolds schools, the parade included children’s groups, including the Gonzales Preschool.
Kari McKenzie was in the parade passing out sticks of sidewalk chalk with her son, Hayden, 4, a student at the school.
“You get a sense of community here,” said McKenzie, 39, who moved to Victoria from Vancouver four years ago with her partner for the “sense of belonging” they felt on the Island.
Some in the crowd followed the parade to Willows Park, where school bands were to play on the centre stage until 5 p.m., with skydivers and fireworks scheduled for later in the evening.
Sunday promises more music and events, including the ladies’ nail driving contest on land, and the bathtub and floating teacup race on the water. The midway, which began offering rides on Friday, is scheduled to continue until 7 p.m.
“We moved here from Toronto seven years ago and have never regretted it,” said John Demarco, who was walking with his son Michael Demarco, daughter Kathryn Demarco and six-month-old grandson, Jack Varney. “I was here in the early ’80s and found people here very friendly. This parade, like the Lighted Truck Parade in December, just brings the people together.”
