For the organizer behind 3,300 participants who streamed down Douglas Street Monday as part of the 118th annual Island Farms Victoria Day Parade, Mother Nature made for a particular highlight.
“It didn’t rain,” Kelly Kurta said with glee.
“We were watching that for two and a half hours.”
There were double the number of bands from last year, she said, and 15 have already agreed to return in 2017 — filling up more than half of the 25 to 27 spots.
> More photos from the 2016 Island Farms Victoria Day Parade
> Blast from the past: Parade photos from the Times Colonist archives
The timing was also spot on, with the final float departing Mayfair Mall at 11:28 a.m. and the parade wrapping up at the legislature at noon on the dot, she said.
Kurta said she’ll be reviewing ways to avoid two large gaps that found their way into the rhythm of movement for next year, as well as a few other hiccups.
But overall, it was worth the stress, Kurta said.
“I was completely frazzled right from 4:30 a.m. this morning until about noon. But it’s just about caring. I wanted to give everyone a great experience and so does my team. Everyone pulled together and did a great job.”
Here are our Top 10 highlights from the 2016 parade:
The first-timers
Karen Barth set up her grandsons Jonathan, 6, and Caleb, 2, for parade watching from the open trunk of her car along Douglas Street. “It started to rain, so I wanted them to be comfortable,” said Barth, next to the boys tucked under a fleece blanket munching breakfast sandwiches. “It’s Caleb’s first parade, so it’s special. He’s been told the best part is the candy.”
The hardcores
Nearly an hour before the parade’s start, Douglas Street was lined with hardcore enthusiasts armed with lawn chairs and rain gear. Trevor Meed and Cassandra Sinclair may have been the envy of the bunch, sitting comfortably in chairs with a built-in canopy.
“I used to come all the time with my family, but it’s been a while,” Sinclair said. “I like the bands. It’s nice that schools have tight-knit music programs.” Both she and Meed were band kids in high school. She played the clarinet and he played the French horn.
Sugar, sugar
In the words of Jordana Griffin, 9: “I like the free candy.”
This was far and away the most popular response from kids surveyed at the parade Monday. We’ve always loved seeing the results of all the hard work and practice that goes into the performances, floats and costumes. But it’s hard to compete with sugar.
The tradition-makers
Esquimalt residents Kathy and Bruce Fyfe moved to the region on a Victoria Day weekend in 1979. They say they’ve watched the parade grow in size and cultural diversity in step with Greater Victoria.
The Fyfes always look forward to seeing the American marching band musicians flood the city, just as they did on that first weekend, when they stayed in the same hotel.
“We didn’t know what the deal was with the parade, but in our hotel, all these kids from the marching bands were running around,” Bruce said.
“We got this picture of what the whole weekend must be like for those kids, leading up to this moment.”
The history
Kathy Fyfe, who has attended Victoria Day parades since 1979, said one of her favourite elements are floats that highlight the region’s history. She pointed to floats like Galey Farms’ entry, which had an agricultural-tourism theme this year.
“I just like us to keep in touch with where we came from — our farming roots and whatever else,” Fyfe said.
The participants
Whether it’s the American marching bands or local businesses, the participants are the heart and soul of the parade every year.
Tipoto Olorunojowon, 12, has been to the parade plenty of times, but this was his first time being in one.
Marching is a very different feeling from sitting and watching, the member of 89 Pacific Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron said.
“It was good, but after, my arms are stiff because we were marching and had to keep our arms really straight,” he said. “I think the surprise was probably all of the people. From the very beginning of the parade, there were so many.”
The visitors
For Ann van Schuyver of Haltom City, Texas, and her sister-in-law Elizabeth Hedrick of Norman, Oklahoma, the Victoria Day parade was like a blast from the past.
“It reminds us of the parades we had in the ’50s and ’60s. The huge participation that you have here is just amazing,” Hedrick said.
Van Schuyver said she most appreciated seeing the Korean war veterans marching in the parade.
“I lost a cousin in Korea and I’m old enough that I remember that. These guys have to be in their late 70s, so it’s wonderful to see them marching,” she said.
Debby and Rod Harrison, visiting from Edmonton, said they have a similar parade in July called the K-Days Parade.
“It’s fascinating to watch. So much talent goes into this, it’s just incredible. It just makes you feel good,” Rod said.
A new perspective
It was the first Victoria Day parade for Abdullah Althagafy and the second for his son Taym, 6. There isn’t a celebration like it in their home country of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah said, although the arts-and-culture festival Jenadriya is the closest.
“It’s very nice to make the people know what Victoria means. I like it. I think we miss this in our country,” Adbullah said.
“I think this brings people close together. The music makes people happy and creates a nice atmosphere of celebration.”
For Taym, the highlight was seeing gymnasts from Victoria Gymnastics tumbling down the road.
“They did cartwheels — I know how to do them, too,” he said.
Open-air viewing
The Young family usually watches the parade on TV, but ventured out to the streets for the first time this year.
“It’s a lot more colourful than on TV,” said Quinna, 11.
“There’s a certain excitement in the air, coming down here,” said mom Leanna.
Quinna, who plays the baritone horn, wanted to see other players like her in the marching bands.
“I’ve only found two so far, but they did really well,” Quinna said.
The tunes
Busker Paul Kilshaw makes balloon animals and magic on the sidelines of most public Victoria events. Sporting a glittering vest and balloon hat, the long-time Victoria parade attendee said he has a soft spot for one particular instrument.
“The Highland bands are a highlight. I don’t know why, bagpipes stir up my soul, I guess. I just love it,” Kilshaw said.
Linda Sjostrom, 29, has a particular appreciation for the marching bands.
“I used to be in a marching band, so I just like the music and it brings back memories,” Sjostrom said.
— With files from Sarah Petrescu
