Big things come in small packages. The Victoria Day parade route may have been shorter this year, but the festivities were in plentiful supply. Hundreds lined the streets of downtown Victoria for the 126th anniversary of the parade Monday morning (May 18), entertained by marching bands, clowns, performers and cultural groups. Over 4,000 participants took part in the event. Among them was retired NHL player Bob Barlow, who was the honorary parade marshal riding in the Greater Victoria Festival Society’s Mustang. The 90-year-old holds the NHL record for scoring the fastest first goal in league history – finding the back of the net just six seconds into his debut with the Minnesota North Stars. Also taking part was the Special Olympics torch run, with Greater Victoria firefighters and police officers walking with B.C. athletes. The torch run was slated to take part in the now cancelled Oak Bay Tea Party Parade. Down from four kilometres to 1.6 km, the 126th Victoria Day parade started at the Legislature, travelling down Government to Wharf Street, to Johnson Street and back to Government before ending at Chatham Street. The scaled-back route was in part because of the economic impact of fewer people finding time to volunteer, and new safety rules put in place by the city, in response to last year’s Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day Festival, when 11 people were killed. “Thank you for your patience as we worked through a brand-new route this year,” said Greater Victoria Festival Society in a social media post as the parade wrapped up. The society also thanked all the participants, parade sponsors, Victoria Police Department and the City of Victoria. “But most of all, thank you to this community,” they said. “Thank you for your support, your understanding, your cheering, your positive energy, and your deep love for this beautiful city.” READ MORE: VIDEO: Gull power: Victoria seagull screamer soars to victory . Finding Bigfoot: Greater Victoria research trio tracks Sasquatch on Island .
More
Less
